A farmer who claimed he bulldozed a riverside magnificence spot residence to otters and salmon to guard native houses from flooding has been jailed for environmental destruction.
John Value used an 18-tonne digger to dredge a piece of the River Lugg close to Leominster, Herefordshire, and stripped a mile-long stretch of the financial institution of bushes.
The 68-year-old claimed he had acted in December 2020 to guard locals within the close by hamlet whose houses had been devastated by earlier floods.
Nonetheless, he was introduced earlier than magistrates on Thursday following authorized motion by Pure England and the Surroundings Company, accused of damaging a protected Website of Particular Scientific Curiosity (SSSI) and one of many UK’s most vital salmon rivers.
Pure England officers stated the river had been ‘decimated’ by the work which had led to a ‘devastating’ impact on native wildlife and folks residing close by. They stated the habitats of ‘iconic wildlife’ reminiscent of otters, kingfishers and salmon had additionally been destroyed alongside the mile stretch of the river.
Value was discovered responsible of seven offences regarding breaching a Pure England cease discover at at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Courtroom and sentenced to 12 months in jail.
He was additionally disqualified from being an organization director for 3 years, ordered to pay £600,000 prosecution prices and is required to assist restore the river.
Sentencing, Choose Ian Strongman stated: ‘Any individual couldn’t fail to be dismayed by the devastation brought on by Mr Value – he has turned it right into a canal devoid of most life. It’s ecological vandalism on an industrial scale.
‘It was a need to cut back the chance of flooding. Some residents who dwell close by are grateful for Mr Value for taking this motion. The Surroundings Company stated the general river stage is as excessive as latest years however Mr Value’s actions have made issues worse.
‘It’s complete ignorance to nature and the surroundings.’
Pure England and the Surroundings Company described the injury because the worst case of riverside destruction that they had ever seen and will take a number of a long time to be absolutely restored.
Talking after the case Emma Johnson, space supervisor for Pure England, stated: ‘The destruction of this part of the River Lugg was devastating for the abundance and vary of species which thrived on this river.
‘The River Lugg is without doubt one of the most iconic rivers within the UK and to see this wanton destruction happen was devastating.
‘Because of this we now have used our powers as regulators to see that justice was carried out and to behave as a stark warning to others that we’ll take the strongest motion in opposition to those that don’t respect the legal guidelines that defend the surroundings and wildlife all of us cherish.
‘We wish to be certain that Mr Value now takes the mandatory actions which we hope, in time will restore this much-loved stretch of river to its former situation.’
Martin Quine, Surroundings Company place supervisor for Herefordshire added: ‘The destruction of river banks shouldn’t be acceptable flood administration. It’s important that the Choose recognised that the works considerably weakened flood prevention measures reasonably than improved them.’
Helen Stace, CEO of the Herefordshire Wildlife Belief, described Mr Value’s actions beforehand as a ‘crime in opposition to the surroundings’.
Environmentalists – together with BBC Gardeners’ World host Monty Don – additionally expressed his shock on the ‘full obliteration’ of the location.
‘It breaks my coronary heart however is all too-typical of the ignorance, conceitedness and sheer wanton destruction of these privileged to look after our countryside,’ stated Mr Don.
However Mr Value stated beforehand he was requested to hold out the work at no cost as he was fixing the erosion of the river mattress and was serving to to unravel flooding points. He claimed the work he did on the riverbanks is authorized and says he has the backing of native councillors and residents.
Houses had been flooded throughout Storm Dennis in early 2020, however when Storm Christoph hit in January 2021, homes stayed dry. Storm Dennis delivered as much as 158mm of rain whereas Storm Christoph was nearer to 100mm.
Talking after he cleared the riverbank, Mr Value stated: ‘I’m a Herefordshire farmer and have lived at Hay Farm and was born right here at residence. I’ve by no means moved and have watched this river all my life and nobody is aware of this river higher than myself.
‘I’ve at all times taken care of the river. I used to be requested to cease the erosion as a result of I’m the landowner so I’m answerable for the river.
‘It was as much as the Environmental Company to take care of these rivers however they don’t do any work and haven’t acquired any cash to do the work as a result of they spend all of it on clipboards.
‘I’ve not pushed any bushes out and I haven’t knocked any bushes down I’ve solely cleared what ones got here down within the flood.’
Originally posted 2023-04-21 07:18:51.