The first privately-run waste recycling centre in Brighton and Hove has been fined £2,000 with £1,437 costs for opening without a licence.
The Taurus centre in Moulsecoomb Way started operating at the end of June after planning permission was given by the city council for the former bus depot to be used for waste disposal.
But the centre, run by Zebra Waste Disposal Services whose main offices are in Byfleet, Surrey, started operating before a waste management licence had been fully granted.
Although the company had applied for the licence on May 29, it had not been processed and the centre was operating illegally when officers from the Environment Agency visited on July 3.
The company admitted at Brighton magistrates operating without the required licence.
Magistrates said they noted the company was operating properly but said to start work without a licence was a "serious matter".
A Zebra spokesman said it was now operating with a full licence after complying with all the regulations.
Tuesday February 10, 2004
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