IT has emerged that Lee Averies, who owns several waste tips in Swindon, has not appealed against the decision to revoke their licences.

Last month, the Environment Agency told Mr Averies he has until early next year to clear both Swindon Skips, at Cheney Manor, and Averies, at Marshgate.

The notice was issued early in November but did not come into effect until yesterday.

Any appeals would have to go through the Planning Inspector, who would then inform the EA, but nothing had been heard by the end of the day yesterday.

A spokeswoman for the EA said: “Appeals, if they are made will be made to the Planning Inspectorate. The appellant has to notify us when they make an appeal. We have not had any news of an appeal.”

It now means the Cheney Manor site must be cleared by of all waste by March 4 and Marshgate by April 15.

In the last 12 months there have been two major fires at both sites.

The one at Marshgate burned for eight weeks over the summer, costing tax payers an estimated £500,000.

The cost of clearing the tips and returning them to a useable state is understood to be in the region of £3m.

The issue has been complicated by the fact that the council owns the land at Cheney Manor, and so if Mr Averies does not pay to have the rubbish removed, the cost might have to come from the tax payers’ purse.

Doubts have been raised over Lee Averies’ ability to pay after it was revealed he was taken to court by the council in an attempt to collect almost £5,000 in business rates. It is also understood Averies owed other local companies money.

The EA decision capped a bad year for Mr Averies, who has been vilified by residents and politicians alike for the impact he has had on the public purse.

A notice to suspend the licence at Swindon Skips in Cheney Manor was issued several months ago after piles of rubbish were deemed to be piled dangerously high, which the company attempted to appeal but failed.

Averies also had its licence to carry waste suspended and its attempt to appeal the decision was put in too late.

As part of the notice which came into effect from yesterday, both companies had their right to collect new waste, and carry it, revoked.