“These matters do take time and the wheels of the legal system are not quick.”

“However it is worth reporting such incidents on all occasions (do not assume others have or will) as it all helps build up evidence for prosecutions such as this,” he added.

“Details how to report such environmental concerns are listed below.”

Two companies which continued to burn rubbish on farm land despite a series of warnings have been fined £18,000 following a successful prosecution by Oldham Council.

Environmental health officers were called to Whitfield Dairy Farm, Mossgate Road, Shaw following complaints regarding deliberately started fires.

Officers spoke to company representatives and advised them that the smoke produced was causing a nuisance to residents in the Shaw and Milnrow areas.

Despite these warnings the companies continued to burn all types of household waste and tyres.

On August 17, 2012 the local authority issued a Nuisance Abatement Notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 instructing the representatives not to burn waste.

However, the firm continued to break the terms of the notice. Council officers witnessed full household clearances being burnt including tyres, a toilet, wiring, wood and plastic, on two different sites on the farm.

The council started legal proceedings and on January 28 the case was heard at Oldham Magistrates’ Court.

The bench did not believe that the waste was burnt without the owner’s knowledge. They also found that the owner of the land failed to take all reasonable precautions to prevent the burning of waste which caused severe smoke nuisance in the surrounding area.

The two companies that own the land where the fires took place – Whitfield Dairy Farm Ltd and WDF Estates Ltd – were found guilty of breaching the abatement notice on six occasions and were fined £18,000 with costs of £2,900 awarded to the council.

If you have information about anyone polluting the environment ring 0161 770 4502 or email environmentalhealth@oldham.gov.uk