Martin Harvey, who operated the illegal site on land he owned at Shepherds Farm, St Newlyn East pleaded guilty and was convicted of two offences.

He received a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, Harvey was ordered to pay back £72,500 he made from operating his illegal waste business by 9 January 2026 or face three months in prison.

Truro Crown Court heard there was no Environmental Permit for the site which would allow the legal deposit of waste. Harvey also deposited waste and filled in a wooded valley and a watercourse in order to create flattened areas on the land, which he then intended to develop.

There were no planning permissions in place for any construction necessitating the waste importation. About 10,000 of tonnes of mixed construction and demolition waste, including hazardous material such as asbestos containing material in bags, was present at the site.

During regular Environment Agency inspections of the site from February to July 2023, Harvey was advised that he was operating illegally, had no planning permission for the development works and that all waste importation should cease immediately.

Harvey was invited to attend an interview with the Environment Agency and sent in a total of three statements under caution.

Sally Turberville of the Environment Agency said: “Waste criminals should be aware how seriously we take their offending, including the financial benefit they obtain from their illegal activities.

“Offenders like Harvey simply won’t get away with concealing information or their assets. Waste crime can be a blight on the environment, communities and to legitimate businesses.”