Council issues stop notice amid waste fire probe

Surrey County Council has issued a temporary stop notice after suspected unlicensed burning of waste in Caterham.

The council said it served the notice - a tool for enforcing planning restrictions - on Friday.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of two large bonfires in an allotment on Stanstead Road on 1 May, a spokesperson said.

The Environment Agency says it is investigating reports of an illegal waste site.

Agency officers "have been at an address to gather evidence before deciding on appropriate next steps", it added.

The county council said its enforcement officers would "continue to assess compliance with the temporary stop notice throughout its period of effect", which runs until 11 July.

Non-compliance with the notice is a criminal offence that can lead to a fine of up to £20,000, according to the local authority.

The fire service said the blazes caused between 1001 and 2000 sq m of fire damage at the site.

Surrey Police said it was aware of the issue but "not investigating as a criminal matter".

The force is supporting the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council, it said.

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