Fly-tippers in Wiltshire face higher fines under new legislation
Council aims to deter environmental crime with stricter penalties
Anyone found guilty of fly-tipping in Wiltshire is set to face tougher penalties as Wiltshire Council is set to adopt new Government regulations to clamp down on offenders.
The authority is set to implement new fixed penalty notice (FPN) regulations that could see fly-tippers face fines of up to £5,000, beginning 1st September 2026.
The government legislation increases the maximum FPN for fly-tipping from £1,000 to £5,000 and raises the maximum penalty for littering from £500 to £750.
These changes allow local authorities, including Wiltshire Council, to determine the fine based on the severity of the offence.
Wiltshire Council plans to adopt the maximum penalties and is developing a framework that ties fines to the environmental impact and the offender's level of culpability.
Severe cases will still be subject to direct prosecution.
The Council already investigates fly-tipping through various methods, including evidence retrieval, witness statements, and surveillance operations.
Efforts to deploy more cameras at hotspots are underway in order to better identify offenders.
Cllr Martin Smith, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Highways, confirmed that the council is committed to issuing maximum penalties and pursuing court action for serious offences.
He emphasised public demand for higher fines as a deterrent and noted the new regulations strengthen the fight against this illegal activity, which disrupts communities and incurs taxpayer costs for clearance.
By increasing penalties and maintaining investments in education, surveillance, and enforcement, the council aims to reduce environmental crime and uphold the priorities outlined in Our Wiltshire Plan, fostering cleaner and safer communities.
Under the proposed system, fines will be calculated using a harm and culpability matrix to ensure they are fair, transparent, and consistent.
Expected penalties for fly-tipping range from £2,500 to £5,000 depending on the circumstances, with a 50% discount offered for payments made within 21 days.
Revenue from FPNs is legally earmarked for environmental enforcement, investigative actions, waste removal, and land restoration, and can't be allocated elsewhere.