The Environment Agency has revoked two environmental permits for Averies Recycling (Swindon) Ltd waste transfer station at Marshgate and Swindon Skips Ltd waste transfer station at Brindley Close, Cheney Manor.

A fire on the Marshgate site in July required the Environment Agency and partners to move over 3,300 tonnes of waste from site before the fire could be extinguished.

Averies Recycling (Swindon) Ltd and Swindon Skips Ltd, were both served notices of the Environment Agency’s intention to revoke the permits on the November 12.

The notices contain steps which legally oblige the companies to return the sites to a satisfactory state and to remove the risks of pollution.

Earlier this month it has emerged that Lee Averies, who owns several waste tips in Swindon, had not appealed against the decision to revoke their licences.

If Mr Averies fails to comply he could be prosecuted and faces the possibility of a fine or a jail sentence.

And if this happens the clean-up is the responsibility of the landowner which, in the case of the Cheney Manor site, is Swindon Borough Council. Marshgate is privately owned and will coast about £1m to clear.

The Environment Agency has ordered the removal of waste from the Brindley Close site by the March 4, 2015, and the Marshgate site by April 15, 2015.

Waste sites must operate in compliance with their environmental permits and the Environment Agency can take action when these permit conditions are breached.

The agency said the sites at Brindley Close and Marshgate have 'a history of poor compliance'.

Environment manager Colin Chiverton said: “We understand the frustration of local residents and businesses and we have been working hard to bring both sites back into compliance.

"It became apparent to us that the companies and directors involved in these two sites had no intention in complying with their permits.

"Their activities may leave a costly legacy to the landowners who may be required to clear the sites of waste if the two companies do not meet their obligations to clear the sites of waste.

“The Environment Agency will continue to monitor both sites to ensure that the sites are returned to a satisfactory state and the waste is removed.

"The waste recycling industry provides a much-needed service and revoking permits is not a step that is taken lightly or easily. However, we believe that this is the appropriate course of action.

"Failure to comply with this may result in further legal action being taken.”

The Environment Agency also refused to renew the registration of Averies Recycling (Swindon) Ltd as a waste carrier on the October 13.

This means Averies Recycling (Swindon) Ltd can no longer transport waste in the name of Averies Recycling (Swindon) Ltd. Failure to comply with this will result in further legal action being taken.