London borough secures High Court injunction against scrap metal site

Hillingdon Council said it served an enforcement notice against Springwell Lane Metal Recycling Limited in September 2024 after finding that the company had been operating a scrap metal recycling business without planning permission.

According to the authority, the operator failed to comply with the notice, prompting the council to initiate legal proceedings and apply for an interim injunction to halt activity at the site.

The injunction was granted by the High Court on 8 May and took immediate effect.

The council’s action follows a major fire at the site on 5 May, when emergency services were called to tackle a blaze involving around 80 tonnes of waste, according to reports by the BBC News.

It also comes as the Environment Agency launched its own investigation into the site.

Hillingdon’s injunction prohibits the use of the land in breach of the enforcement notice, including its use as a scrap metal yard.

It also prevents any further development or engineering works on the land, the deposit of waste materials and the storage of vehicles, plant or machinery unless necessary to secure the cessation of the use or clear the site.

Hillingdon said breach of the injunction is an arrestable offence.

The authority added that it is now seeking a full injunction that would require both the cessation of the scrap metal operation and the clearance of the site.

Daniel Kennedy, Hillingdon Council’s Corporate Director of Residents Services, said he was pleased the High Court “recognised the urgency” of the issue by granting the interim injunction, adding: “The defendants have shown flagrant disregard of the enforcement notice and the wider impact of the site on the local area, but this hasn’t prevented the council taking further, robust action to ensure planning rules are enforced and bring activities to an end.

“My thanks to our planning enforcement and legal teams for securing this positive result.”

An Environment Agency spokesman added: "We shut down the illegal waste site in Rickmansworth run by Springwell Lane Metal Recycling Ltd, de-registered the operator's waste exemption, and instructed them to remove the waste.....

"The Environment Agency is working with Hillingdon Council to resolve the matter swiftly, and will use all powers necessary.

"Over the last year, we have closed 743 illegal waste sites and are laser focused on making sure that the polluter pays."

Adam Carey