North Wales company sentenced for operating waste wood site without a permit

A North Wales company has been sentenced for operating a waste wood site without the required permit, thanks to an investigation by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

On Thursday 11 December at Caernarfon Crown Court, Platts Agricultural Limited was sentenced after pleading guilty in July 2025 to operating a waste wood site without the required environmental permit. The offences took place between 2017 and 2021.

The court imposed a £22,500 fine and ordered the company to pay £21,910.25 in costs.

NRW brought this prosecution against Platts Agricultural Limited after repeated attempts to secure compliance. Officers inspected the site, set out what permits were needed and by when, and used proportionate enforcement tools. Despite this, Platts Agricultural Limited continued to accept and process waste wood for use in animal bedding without authorisation.

Carys Williams, Team Leader for Waste Regulation at NRW, said:

Environmental permits are not just a legal requirement – they uphold standards that are essential to protect people and our environment. They ensure waste is managed safely and legally. This case demonstrates that anyone handling waste wood must have the correct permissions in place.

Operating without a permit or cutting corners undercuts legitimate businesses that invest in compliance. It creates unfair competition and increases environmental and public health risks.

We’ve also worked with partners to issue a multi-agency statement on the use of waste wood in animal bedding. Treated waste wood can be harmful if misused, so businesses must follow guidance and source materials responsibly.

Businesses that handle waste wood should check whether they need a permit or a registered exemption before starting operations. To report suspected waste crime, please contact NRW’s 24/7 incident communications centre via the online ‘Report it’ form. You can also contact NRW 24/7 on 0300 065 3000.