Section 33 Fly Tipping letter with 1 day to respond

[fanofraspberries]

Original post (written, very poorly at midnight!)
Helpful/insightful advice and reassurance needed
LONG STORY SHORT- I got sent a Section 33 letter from my local council/ environmental enforcement yesterday. Firstly, they attached evidence and packaging with my name and address was found however the address they say they found it at, and the location of the photos do not match up (the photos got taken outside my flat where myself and other residents in the area leave our rubbish as we live on a high street). Secondly, the letter arrived yesterday, but it was sent/dated Friday 22nd March, post is slow, I understand (I use Royal Mail a lot!) . The letter said if they didn't receive a response within 7 days I may be prosecuted (and from what I've read issued a fine?), so I quickly wrote out a response and sent it to Special Delivery.
ALSO- extra detail, the investigation was early February
Is it worth me emailing the council/agency as well to ensure my point gets across? I'm a law-abiding citizen (genuinely) and want to resolve the matter. The letter only gave the address of the agency and no email but upon further investigation I have found an email for them/the council. Annoyingly because they didn't leave a number /email on the letter I'm guessing it might be a no?
Hopefully, this post makes more sense than the last!
Thanks in advance

Always engage @fanofraspberries , as at least they can see you are taking it seriously. You should be able to find an email online- reply saying in came today, you have sent a reply but as it is a long weekend you are emailing too and giving your phone number and email and asking to set up a conversation next week (if that’s what you want) and some times you can do.

Good luck.

So, you left your household rubbish on your own street where you are supposed to leave it and they thought it was dumped so they have fined you?

And the letter was not received by you until after the date you were supposed to respond?

@QuillBill at least thats what it looks like, and if they're gonna fine me they've gotta fine the whole length and breadth of the high street 🤣
The letter arrived yesterday and the 7 days is up today, when hopefully my response should arrive. They haven't fined me yet, this letter was a chance for me to explain myself.

@Keepingthingsinteresting that's what I was thinking. I was just going to copy and paste the letter I sent and add I'm sending it by email as I was left with 1 day to respond to the letter, also surely if they say the letter arrived late I can say I sent an email.
Thank you 🌺

@Keepingthingsinteresting UPDATE: I have sent an email but attached the letter rather than copy and paste into email. Thanks again

Ardour sure it's legit? Not a scam?

@bestbefore thanks for your concern, as that was I was thinking initially. However, upon further investigation, the address they provided was legit. I guess the only sus thing (maybe) is that there was no indication on the envelope they put the letter in that it was important (Which I'm assuming they would do in these circumstances), and that the investigation was carried out at 11.10pm, on a Sunday, some hours before rubbish collection.

Update: I have sent email with letter attached. Fingers crossed aye!

Have any other residents who put their rubbish there had a similar letter ?

If it is what you said and you don't get it cancelled it's bonkers! I'd write to your local councillor

@Yirk I’m honestly not sure! We live in flats above shops

@bestbefore so they actually sent me 2 letters with two different reference numbers which I’ve only just noticed 🤦🏻‍♀️ as the rubbish with my address was under 2 different names (I have a name that I use as an artist and one for official stuff !)

Another update: Basically I received 2 letters because my post had two different names on it, I only realised this this morning. Is it worth me sending another letter or email ?

It sounds like you've got the letters because you put it out too early, ie the day before collection. Councils regard that as fly tipping. Check your council website for their rules as to when you should put out the rubbish.

@karriecreamer Thankyou for your response. I recognise that could be a potential reason , however it was 11pm at night and our rubbish gets collected at 5am! The address they said they found the rubbish at does not match the address in the photos.

UPDATE:
Firstly, thank you to anyone who has responded, hearing other peoples perspectives / insights makes me feel alot better/ I learn so much! If anyone else has anything else to add please do! This doesn't seem to be an isolated incident and I am contacting my local MP after the bank holiday.
Because there were 2 letters with 2 different ref numbers I've sent an email with an updated version of the letter I sent, and dated it today as it's still within the 7 day timeframe (so they can't say ''you sent us a letter with only one ref number'') and have explained to them that the letter counts for both reference numbers.
Once again thankyou,
Have a good weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!