Caravan among items dumped as shocking extent of fly-tipping in Argyll revealed
A caravan, a sofa-bed and 17 doors were among 300 items dumped illegally across north Argyll in the last three financial years, a new report has revealed.
A Freedom of Information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service asked for details of all fly-tipping incidents across Argyll and Bute from April 1 2022 to March 31 2024.
Around 900 fly-tipping incidents were reported across the four administrative areas of Argyll and Bute Council during the three years. Helensburgh and Lomond accounted for more than a third of them.
Abandoned caravans, 17 doors, mattresses, Christmas trees, a cooker and a TV were among the items reported as being fly-tipped in incidents throughout Oban, Lorn, Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Isles.
Reports were also received of motorbikes being dumped outside the surgery on Rockfield Road, Tobermory.
Fly-tipping can be extremely dangerous. Our sister paper, the Lochaber Times, recently reported on the deadly carcinogen asbestos being fly-tipped outside a primary school.
Not only is flytipping a potential danger to children playing, it is also a major threat to the environment.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service also asked for the cost to the council of dealing with each incident reported.
However, an officer responded: “I have to advise that the information you requested is information not held by the council and as such I must refuse this part of your request in terms of Regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs (environmental information regulations).
“However, in line with the duty placed on the council in terms of Regulation 9 of the EIR’s, I can advise that the council does not record clearance costs as a separate expenditure.”
A page on the council’s website says it costs £50 to remove fly-tipping – an offence for which a fine of up to £40,000 can be issued.
The page said: “Fly-tipping is ‘the illegal deposit of any waste onto land, ie waste dumped or tipped on a site with no licence to accept waste’.
“Fly-tipping affects the aesthetic appeal of an area and damages the environment. Waste can include general household waste; larger domestic items including fridges and mattresses; garden refuse and commercial waste such as builders’ rubble, clinical waste and tyres.”
Latest News
JOBS
Childcare and Education Worker - ARB15733 - Argyll and Bute Council
Sign up to our daily Newsletter
Permission Statement
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.
You may also like
Latest News
JOBS
Childcare and Education Worker - ARB15733 - Argyll and Bute Council
Sign up to our daily Newsletters
Permission Statement
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.
© 2025 Wyvex Media Limited.