A PET funeral company near Stroud has been ordered to pay £64,000 after thick clouds of dark smoke were emitted from its site.

Time Right, which is based at Limekiln Farm in Lypiatt, pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to use the best techniques to control emissions in the air.

The case was heard at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Thursday, December 14 following a prosecution brought by Stroud District Council.

On occasions, thick plumes of dark and black smoke were emitted from the site in contravention of permit conditions, the court heard.

The animal incineration company was ordered to pay a total of £64,489 including a £50,000 fine plus costs and a victim surcharge.

The district judge hearing the case considered the evidence and concluded that the company had ‘acted recklessly over a significant period of time’.

However, it was acknowledged that significant steps have since been taken by the company to address the issue moving forwards.

Speaking after the hearing, a spokesperson for Time Right said: “We recognise that there were serious failings that led to the breaches of the environmental license at our Limekiln Farm Pet Crematorium.

"We fully cooperated with SDC during their investigation and pleaded guilty to the charges at the earliest opportunity.

“Taking responsibility and ensuring that these incidents cannot occur again is of paramount importance to us, which is why we have invested, and are continuing to invest, so significantly in improving the site to create an advanced pet crematorium facility with the most up to date technology and highest operating standards.

"We have already invested £250,000 in the site, including £100,000 in a new incinerator ordered before this case, which is ready to be installed as soon as we receive both planning and permit permissions.

"We have also overhauled procedures and monitoring, and our most recent inspection in January 2023 had no reported issues and we are operating in accordance with the permit.”

SDC environment committee chair Chloe Turner said: “Installations operating under an environmental permit are inspected by members of the environmental protection team.

"Where non-compliance is identified, officers will always work to address those issues with the company as a matter of priority and, where appropriate, undertake enforcement action.”