£40,000 fine for Northampton business after 'waste dumped three times in a month'
A Northampton business has been fined more than £40,000 after admitting repeatedly depositing commercial and food waste illegally.
JLN1 Ltd, which operates Zizou Lounge and Zizou Express in Wellingborough Road, pleaded guilty to unlawfully depositing significant quantities of waste on land in Whitworth Road on three occasions.
The offences took place between December 22, 2025 and January 23 this year and were investigated by West Northamptonshire Council’s Environmental Crime Team following reports of waste being dumped.
Officers attended on each occasion and discovered evidence linking the waste to the company.
The director of JLN1 Ltd appeared at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court on August 25 and entered guilty pleas on behalf of the company to three offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The court fined the company £40,200 and ordered it to pay costs of £1,567.26.
The level of the fine reflected the number of offences committed within a short period, the impact on residents and the landowner, including clean-up costs, and the commercial advantage gained by not disposing of the waste lawfully.
Councillor Andrew Last, West Northamptonshire Council’s cabinet member for HR, corporate and regulatory services, said: “This case sends out a clear and strong message to any business who may be tempted to cut corners and save money by incorrectly disposing of their commercial waste.
“West Northamptonshire Council will investigate these incidents and take enforcement action where we have sufficient evidence. Businesses could end up with a hefty fine.”
Councillor Last described fly-tipping as “totally unacceptable” and a blight on communities, adding that dumped waste can attract vermin and encourage further fly-tipping.
The council is encouraging residents to report incidents of illegally dumped waste through its website, Report It app or by calling 0300 126 7000.