An illegal waste site on Rutland Road, Sheffield, known as the Former Stanley Works, has been cleared following a court order issued in April. Concept Investments Limited and its director, Austin Fitzgerald, had admitted offences related to allowing the site to operate without an environmental permit.
The site has now been fully cleared of mixed waste, including fridges, other electrical items, soil, and stones. The order to clear the site was made during sentencing at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 15 April, where the company and Fitzgerald were also ordered to pay fines and costs totalling more than £20,000.
The Environment Agency first visited the site in July 2022, finding a large amount of mixed waste. Despite subsequent warnings and formal notices, the waste was not cleared, and new waste accumulated. Complaints about waste burning impacting local residents were received in late 2024 and early 2025.
Concept Investments Limited was fined £8,000, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000, and costs of £5,442. Mr Fitzgerald received a 12-month community order with 140 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay costs of £5,442 and a victim surcharge of £114.
Separately, a 38-year-old man from Sheffield has pleaded guilty to operating the illegal waste site and is due to be sentenced on 16 September.