AN environmental watchdog is being pressed to stop illegal tipping once and for all at a farm above Colne, following a fire at the site which has been burning for days, sending a huge plume of noxious smoke for miles.

Pendle Council's environmental health department is monitoring the fire, which broke out at the weekend at the tip at Sansbury Farm. But it calling on the Environment Agency to use its tougher powers to clamp down on the nuisance.

Health officer Stuart Arnott said: "It's an unlicensed tip which means, in effect, that it is illegal.

"The licensing is dealt with by the Environment Agency. We have limited powers under anti-pollution laws to deal with the smoke, but we have got an order which bans fires being started up there. That comes into effect on Thursday.

"We haven't been able to sample the fumes, but in the past we know that things like demolition waste and other inert materials have been dumped there.

"Having said that, we don't know what's on the tip, which is one of our big concerns. That's why we're pressing the Environment Agency to do something to stop the tipping."

Colne councillor Tony Greaves said: "The owner of this land has been cocking a snook at the rest of the community for years."

He added: "I for one am completely fed up of all the public authorities being made to look completely stupid. It is time to get them all together in one room and organise a plan of campaign to put a stop to this once and for all."

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