A HADLEIGH man has been ordered by the High Court to stop using land as a waste disposal site, following a successful prosecution by Suffolk County Council.

Paul Arthur Fenton, 59, of Gaelle Cresent, has been served an interim injunction for land at Flowton Pit, Flowton Road, Flowton.

It has been ordered that Mr Fenton must not use the land for the deposit or storage of waste, and that he must make lawful arrangements for the disposal of all waste materials on the land, and to remove all waste materials on the land within three months of the order (27 November 2024).

Judge Crane, at the High Court of Justice Kings Bench Division, determined that Mr Fenton has no legitimate right to use the land in this way, noting the necessity of the interim injunction and proportionality given the history and duration.

Cllr Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste, said: "We will not stand for the actions of people like Mr Fenton, whose behaviour is wholly selfish with no regard for others.

"Previous successful prosecutions against him have clearly not had any impact, so we had no choice but to take the case to the High Court and seek this injunction.

"His choice not to dispose of waste in a legal manner affects local businesses who make a positive contribution to our economy by paying the appropriate charges and taxes for disposal.

"Mr Fenton's actions have also had a longstanding effect on the local community and environment – impacting rural and residential amenities, access and possible destruction of badger setts."

Mr Fenton has been prosecuted on four previous occasions by Suffolk County Council in 2001, 2007, 2010 and 2021.

He has also been previously convicted of permitting the Flowton Pit site to be used for the production of cocaine.

He did not respond to any pre-action letters for this latest case, and did not attend or have representation at the High Cour