A WASTE site operator from Caldicot was ordered to pay over £30,000 for offences including keeping waste in a manner likely to cause harm to the environment and human health.

The case against Gwilym Eirwyn Williams and his company, Woodstock Waste was brought by the Environment Agency Wales, at Abergavenny Magistrates Court.

Mr Williams pleaded guilty to the offences and was fined £20,000 for breaching waste management duties and also ordered to pay costs of £11,144.45 to the Environment Agency.

John Wheadon, Environmental Crime Team Leader for South East Wales, said afterwards: "The owner continued to ignore our warnings and notices which banned waste entering the site."

Mr Williams' licence was partially suspended in 2007 meaning he could not accept any more waste onto his site.

Yet unbeknown to Mr Williams, the environment agency said, he was caught on camera taking in more waste, thus defying his suspension.

The site is licensed to store and treat up to 90 tonnes of waste, yet on inspection, surveyors found more than 4,000 tonnes of waste on site.

The Environment Agency Wales said they received complaints of odours, vermin and dust, as well as the negative visual impact of the site, but are happy Mr Williams is finally taking action.

"We are pleased that Mr Williams is now clearing this waste from his site. Skip companies and waste operators should listen to advice and warnings from the Agency. These rules are there for a reason," Mr Wheadon said.

Man had been off work due to cancer Mr Williams told the Argus he had more than a year away from work after contracting cancer and having a triple heart bypass, and he since had to lay off half his workforce.

He said the working relationship with the agency had improved in the past three months, the waste tonnage is now down to 320 tonnes on site and he is applying to the agency to increase his licence to 800 to 1,000 tonnes.

He now has plans for up to £140,000 worth of improvements including a four-metre high fence, and is aiming for 90 per cent recycling at the site.