We have issued more than £5,000 in fines so far in 2026 as part of ongoing work to tackle fly-tipping and ensure waste is disposed of responsibly across the district.
Our Environmental Health officers have investigated multiple incidents and carried out checks with businesses to ensure waste is being handled and disposed of correctly.
In one case, a Tamworth resident received fines totalling £1,300 after waste was fly-tipped at the Arkall Farm housing development within Lichfield District, on or before 19 November 2025.
Following reports from residents about waste being dumped on private land owned by a local developer, our officers investigated and identified those responsible. A £1,000 Fixed Penalty Notice was issued alongside £300 to cover the developer’s clean-up costs.
Following another fly-tip incident between 3 and 14 October 2025, waste was discovered blocking the entrance to a farmer’s field on Sittles Lane near Lichfield. Investigations traced the waste back to a Tamworth resident who confirmed they had paid someone to remove and dispose of it.
Under waste duty of care legislation, householders must ensure that anyone taking their waste is authorised to do so and must be able to provide details of who collected it. As the resident was unable to provide this information, they were issued with a £600 fixed penalty.
DIY materials, including half an internal door and some wood trim, were dumped in Church Lane, Hammerwich on 13 February 2026. The offender was identified though CCTV and received a £500 fixed penalty.
Two bags of household waste were fly-tipped at Gentleshaw Common Car Park, Rugeley Road on 23 February 2026. The offender, who left the car park after being disturbed attempting to dump a third bag, was identified through eyewitnesses and was given a £1,000 fixed penalty.
An offender was also identified by officers through the contents of 5 bags of household waste dumped in Cartersfield Lane, Stonnall on 26 February 2026. They were issued with a £600 fixed penalty after failing to confirm who they had paid to dispose of the waste.
Our Environmental Health officers also carried out duty of care checks on sixteen businesses both within and outside the district following fly-tipping that was potentially linked to them. While there was not enough evidence to pursue fly-tipping offences, six businesses were unable to produce Waste Transfer Notes when required under a statutory notice.
Businesses are legally required to have a contract with a licensed waste carrier and keep records of how their waste is disposed of for at least two years. As a result of failing to provide this information, fixed penalty notices totalling £1,200 were issued.
The money collected in fines is used to fund additional enforcement activity and purchase equipment such as the cameras used at fly-tipping hot spots.
Councillor Richard Cox, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Public Protection, said:
“Fly-tipping and irresponsible waste disposal harms our communities, damages the environment and creates unnecessary clean-up costs.
“Residents and businesses both have a responsibility to ensure their waste is disposed of properly. If you ask someone else to remove your waste, make sure they are authorised and keep their details.
“We will continue to investigate incidents and take action where offences are identified.”
Residents should only pass waste to authorised carriers or council services, and businesses must ensure they have appropriate waste contracts and records in place.
For advice about waste disposal responsibilities or commercial waste arrangements, contact Lichfield District Council on 01543 308000.