Damaged stretch of river must be restored following successful prosecution by Natural England and Environment Agency writes Herefordshire Wildlife Trust.
On Thursday 20 April a court sentenced a landowner to prison for badly damaging a stretch of the River Lugg. This follows a successful investigation and prosecution by Natural England and the Environment Agency where the landowner pleaded guilty to carrying out work without consents.
Full restoration of this highly protected river is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Jamie Audsley, chief executive, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, says: "Today’s outcome means justice for the River Lugg. The sentencing reflects the seriousness of the damage caused to a stretch of the river and which is supposed to be protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. We were shocked to discover a bulldozer was used to undertake work in the river, disturbing gravels, reprofiling a bank and removing vegetation – the episode caused immense harm to this special and much-loved river. The riverbed and its plants such as water crowfoot are home to crayfish, otters and salmon, lampreys and dragonflies. Whilst it will take a long time to recover, we hope that this stretch of river can once again become a thriving natural habitat for wildlife. We’re all looking forward to seeing it restored to its natural beauty. Landowners have a clear and vital responsibility to look after the rivers in their care. This prosecution must act as a deterrent to prevent anyone harming rivers again." He finished by saying, "We would like to thank teams from Natural England and the Environment Agency for their diligent investigations, which led to this prosecution, and to Herefordshire Wildlife Trust staff and members for their support.”
For more information, see Landowner sentenced for destruction of River Lugg, Herefordshire - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
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Posted On: 21/04/2023