A woman has slammed her council’s decision to fine her £400 for fly tipping – because she left an aquarium outside her home.
Emma Haywood (40), stated that she purchased the fish tank with intent to set it up in her Radcliffe-on-Trent house, Notts.
After moving it towards her home, she decided to remove the lower part – or the casing – as she was experiencing a bad back.
Ms Haywood claimed that she didn’t have anyone who could help her transport the casing into her house.
But after leaving outside for five days, Rushcliffe Borough Council issued her with a fine and a letter stating that she must pay £200 within 14 days or be forced to pay a hefty £400 instead.
Emma Haywood, 40, is facing a £400 fine after leaving an aquarium outside her Radcliffe on Trent, Notts home for five days because she was ‘suffering from a bad back’
“I bought an aquarium from a woman in West Bridgford that was moving,” she said.
“I had a tank in my front garden, and the bottom, the casing, was left out of the front.
“So I left it there about 5 days. But Rushcliffe Borough Council came and said to me that it was being investigated as fly tipping.
“Given that we live in a small village, there can be a lot hearsay around here so it was a little strange.
“I told them that it will be moved in a few days – I’ve pulled mine back and I pulled my knee a couple days ago – joys of being an old parent.
Ms Haywood claimed that she didn’t have anyone who could help her transport the casing into her house.
“But I just stated that I couldn’t lift it right then.
‘It’s just ridiculous – there’s no reason this should be a £400 fine.’
Ms Haywood stated that she is anxious about paying the fine and that it has had a negative impact on her mental health.
She also stated that this was causing me significant mental health problems and that she couldn’t afford to pay it.
“I have a partner that doesn’t live here, so he hasn’t been here to lift it.
“My dad is my mom’s caregiver so he can’t help. He’s 70 so I don’t have that support.
Rushcliffe Borough Council claim that the fine was partly imposed because the casing was not removed for a long time.
The council has been reducing fly-tipping incidents to clean up their streets.
A Rushcliffe Borough Council spokesperson said: ‘Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement (WISE) administered the penalty notice on behalf of the Council to the resident who had left the item on a grass verge and public land for at least five days.
It was the result of a complaint from a member the public and a previous request made by the team to move the item. They advised the resident that they would follow the appeals procedure as stated on the notice if they feel it is incorrect.
“Our action on fly-tipping in the Borough has increased significantly since the beginning of this year with the partnership clampingdown on instances domestic or commercial waste, making Rushcliffe streets even cleaner.