Permanent muck heap

[Hotcrossbun]

My neighbour (stables) has a muck heap that covers over half an acre adjacent to my land. It’s been there over 20 years and is uphill from me. I don’t get any smell as my end of the muck field is now well rotted and covered in weeds grass, brambles etc.
My problem is that the heap is getting high and is covered in unmanaged weeds including ragwort. I get all the water run off onto my land and into my pond as well as a constant battle with weeds. I have a few sheep so the ragwort is especially unwelcome.
It’s just on the land - no concrete base and no drains in place. As well as my pond there is a river and lodge a few hundred yards away down hill.
My question is - is it actually legal to have a heap so big and in the same place for so long?

 

[Spencer]

Sheep can tolerate ragwort quite well..

 

[Brisel]

If the owner of the stables and land the heap is on doesn't claim Basic Payment so is not subject to Cross Compliance fines, I think you will have a hard time getting the authorities to enforce the laws on it. Are you in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone? Check here

Some more reading; https://www.gov.uk/guidance/keeping-horses-on-farms

Have you had a chat with them about it? Most of the heap will be well rotted down by now. You could offer to take it away from them and spread it on your own land.

 

[Hotcrossbun]

If the owner of the stables and land the heap is on doesn't claim Basic Payment so is not subject to Cross Compliance fines, I think you will have a hard time getting the authorities to enforce the laws on it. Are you in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone? Check here

Some more reading; https://www.gov.uk/guidance/keeping-horses-on-farms

Have you had a chat with them about it? Most of the heap will be well rotted down by now. You could offer to take it away from them and spread it on your own land.

I have mentioned it a few times - but last year I asked what their weed management plan was. For the first time in 20 years I saw someone at my end of the heap. They strummed about 8ft along my fence. Given that the heap now almost obscured the farmhouse it wasn’t really worth doing. The heap is added to constantly. It’s just mini mountains of muck grass weeds and a bit of rubble up at the other end. The person who makes the decisions doesn’t seem to care.

 

[Hotcrossbun]

It’s 50 odd acres - no idea if it what they claim.

 

[Brisel]

Possibly not if all they have is horses. It's easier to fine someone by taking away some of their subsidy cheque than it is to blow lots of taxpayer cash to drag them into court and attempt to secure a conviction, hence my questioning.

 

[Banana Bar]

Environment agency?

 

[Hotcrossbun]

Possibly not if all they have is horses. It's easier to fine someone by taking away some of their subsidy cheque than it is to blow lots of taxpayer cash to drag them into court and attempt to secure a conviction, hence my questioning.

Ah I see. I wouldn’t want to see them fined or in trouble. I was hoping I could point out appropriate legislation. Seems I’ll just need to get used to my ever growing hillside view

 

[caveman]

Ah I see. I wouldn’t want to see them fined or in trouble. I was hoping I could point out appropriate legislation. Seems I’ll just need to get used to my ever growing hillside view

Set fire to it.

 

[Hotcrossbun]

Environment agency?

I don’t want to report them - I’m just looking for legislation guidelines first to open up a more structured dialogue

 

[Tarw Coch]

If you’re in an NVZ there’s a limit on how long a muck heap can be in one place, possibly 12 months as there has to be a 3 year gap before it can return to the same place.
I seem to recall that a muck heap in a field can only contain muck for spreading on that field too, again in NVZ rules.
If there’s run off reaching a watercourse that will definitely be a no no with the EA.

 

[Hotcrossbun]

Set fire to it.

That’s a bit extreme! (And it’s too close to me )

 

[toquark]

Our neighbour has a similar heap. Thankfully it’s on the other neighbour’s boundary not mine, but I know they have had issues with nettle roots blocking field drains on that side.

I think my first plan of action would be just to explain your concerns and offer a solution (spread the muck) then politely ask that they relocate the pile.

 

[Hotcrossbun]

If you’re in an NVZ there’s a limit on how long a muck heap can be in one place, possibly 12 months as there has to be a 3 year gap before it can return to the same place.
I seem to recall that a muck heap in a field can only contain muck for spreading on that field too, again in NVZ rules.
If there’s run off reaching a watercourse that will definitely be a no no with the EA.

We’re just outside the NVZ unfortunately.

 

[Hotcrossbun]

Our neighbour has a similar heap. Thankfully it’s on the other neighbour’s boundary not mine, but I know they have had issues with nettle roots blocking field drains on that side.

I think my first plan of action would be just to explain your concerns and offer a solution (spread the muck) then politely ask that they relocate the pile.

I’m just told there’s no where else to put it. One family member is very sympathetic but unfortunately they aren’t a decision maker.

 

[yellow belly]

The well rotted manure will make very good garden compost

at worst talk to them
the compost would be of value spread an land for farming but classed as waste if not for farming

 

[Nearly]

Plant spuds?

 

[Hotcrossbun]

Plant spuds?

It would be great for growing in if it were mine after some considerable levelling off.

 

[Hotcrossbun]

The well rotted manure will make very good garden compost

at worst talk to them
the compost would be of value spread an land for farming but classed as waste if not for farming

I’d love to have some on my land but at my end it’s now covered in thick grass, weeds, brambles, elder etc.and I don’t want to bring all that to my growing.

 

[PSQ]

Is it full of twine, plastic bags and wormer syringes?