A COUNCIL has been awarded thousands of pounds following the closure of an illegal scrap dealer in Hartley Wintney.

Hart District Council has been awarded a total of £20,000 in costs, following an ongoing court case with a local scrap metal dealer and motor salvage business that was located in Totters Lane, Hartley Wintney.

On Thursday, 18 April, Hart District Council was back in Basingstoke Magistrates Court to finalise the conditions and an award of costs, following the closure order that was granted in court on March 14.

When Hart District Council obtained the closure order under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, it became the first council in the country to secure a closure order under the act.

The scrap metal dealer and motor salvage business was carrying out unlicensed dismantling of vehicles.

This spread onto the public roads and the adjacent Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), causing blight, environmental damage and negatively affecting nearby residents.

The council first issued a site closure notice in April 2017 to stop the business trading illegally, the business continued to trade, and so Hart District Council went to court for the closure order.

Joint chief executive at Hart District Council, Patricia Hughes, said: “This is a very positive result for the Council.

"We have been working hard with partner agencies and local residents over the past two years to gain evidence to bring this case to the court.

"I thank the Environmental Health team for their continued work on this case and for pioneering the new legislation to make sure this business is accountable for its reckless actions.

"I’m delighted that this matter is finally resolved.”

During the hearing it was agreed that, as significant progress in site clearance had been demonstrated by the owner, a further two weeks was granted to complete the task.

Hart District Council’s Environmental Health team are responsible for Scrap Metal Dealers licensing and will take firm action against unlicensed businesses.

For more information about Scrap Metal Dealers Act and licensing, visit hart.gov.uk/scrap-metal.