Tag: Environment Agency

  • PRESS RELEASE : Reducing the carbon footprint of Hexham’s flood defences [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Reducing the carbon footprint of Hexham’s flood defences [May 2023]

    The press release issued by Environment Agency on 9 May 2023.

    New climate friendly, low-carbon concrete mix used for the first time in the UK to construct North East flood schemes.

    In a UK first, the Environment Agency, BAM Nuttall, Arup and Tarmac have successfully trialled the use of two low carbon concrete mixes for works at the Hexham Flood Alleviation Scheme.

    The low-carbon concrete has been used across 3 panels, totalling 27 metres of the £6.5 million Hexham flood defences as part of a plan to reduce their carbon footprint, the Environment Agency (EA) has said.

    Hexham is a popular tourist destination in Northumberland with visitors able to observe salmon leaping at the masonry arch bridge, dating back to 1793.  The Hexham flood alleviation scheme will help to protect up to 90 properties in one of the town’s most important commercial areas, providing increased job security by protecting the places people work, keeping businesses open and supporting the wider local economy.

    The flood alleviation scheme is almost complete on the south bank at Tyne Mills Industrial Estate and features a new structure installed across the Skinnersburn which would also stop the River Tyne backing up when levels are high. The improvement works to the north bank at Bridge End Industrial estate consist of flood walls and embankment as well as featuring the sections of low carbon concrete at the former Reiver Sports site.

    The EA say that more than half of its carbon footprint comes from the construction of flood defences. Using low carbon concrete, such as a new Portland limestone mix, developed by Tarmac, will improve Hexham’s resilience to the changing climate while also playing an important part of the organisation’s steps towards Net Zero targets.

    So far, the trial has presented positive carbon savings compared to a standard concrete mix offering up to 70% reductions of CO2 emissions per cubic metre of concrete delivered to site.

    It is hoped that the trials to find new ultra-low-carbon concrete alternatives, will enable future Environment Agency flood defences across the North East to be built more sustainably, with lower embodied carbon. They will also support the delivery of new sustainable concrete products, to the wider construction industry and help to achieve targets outlined in the Net Zero North East England partnership. This collaboration between local government, business, education, the public sector and civil society aims to drive a comprehensive regional approach to tackling the climate emergency.

    Leila Huntington, Environment Agency Operations Manager, said:

    “The Environment Agency is committed to helping the nation be more resilient to flooding, coastal change, drought and climate change. We all have a role to play in tackling the climate emergency which is why the Environment Agency has committed to reaching Net Zero by 2030. To achieve this we have to adapt, try innovative approaches and ensure that climate and sustainability are at the heart of what we do.

    “The trial of low carbon concrete in Hexham is a fantastic example of how we can work with our partners to continue to build flood defences to better protect communities from flooding, whilst also focussing on sustainability, the environment and reducing our carbon emissions.”

    Ruth Young, area carbon and sustainability lead for BAM, said:

    “As the Environment Agency’s construction partner in the North East, we are carefully considering how we can limit the environmental impact of the flood defence work we deliver without compromising the strength and resilience of these structures.

    “We identified Tarmac’s new low-carbon concrete mixes as innovative products, which have the potential to reduce our overall carbon impact across the framework.

    “We are working closely with the Environment Agency, Arup and Tarmac, to ensure the materials can be approved for use and look forward to seeing these being used on more civil engineering schemes in the future.”

    Robert Gossling, head of commercial engineering solutions at Tarmac, said:

    “This flood defence project in Hexham highlights the clear sustainability benefits which can be achieved when clients and contractors work in partnership, in this case engaging to help understand the benefits and reduce the concrete carbon footprint of the Environment Agency. The testing comparisons will help build confidence in these new products.

    “Against the backdrop of a climate emergency, the use of these mixes marks another important step for the UK concrete and cement industry along its path to net zero. We’re committed to demonstrating innovation in low carbon solutions, and we hope that the success of this trial will help accelerate adoption of this and other types of new, sustainable concretes – delivering long-term benefits for the industry.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Illegal waste operator, Andrzej Harytczak, in Nottinghamshire ordered to pay £6,035 [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Illegal waste operator, Andrzej Harytczak, in Nottinghamshire ordered to pay £6,035 [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 28 April 2023.

    The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted the operator of an illegal waste site at Worksop in Nottinghamshire.

    Andrzej Harytczak was fined £941 at Mansfield magistrates’ court on Thursday 27 April 2023. He was also ordered to pay costs of £5,000 and a victim surcharge of £94.

    Harytczak, 38, of Yeoman Close, Worksop, admitted that he had operated a waste site without the necessary environmental permits in Tranker Lane, Worksop, between 24 July and 28 September 2017 and between 25 April and 9 December 2019.

    The court was told that the defendant had avoided paying approximately £20,000 in infrastructure costs and permitting fees.

    Environment Agency officers launched an investigation following complaints about the site from early 2017.

    They discovered that Harytczak was illegally storing construction and demolition waste, plus household waste. He was warned on several occasions that this type of activity would require a permit.

    At a further site visit on 28 September 2017, Harytczak admitted he was using the yard to store garden waste.

    Officers were called again to the site in April 2019 following further complaints of illegal storage and burning of waste.

    On this occasion, officers viewed a large amount of mixed waste from construction and demolition sites. There was also evidence of a recent fire.

    The defendant confirmed to officers he was in charge of the site and was advised to remove the waste.

    Officers visited the site again on 14 May 2019 and found that the gates were locked, and large pieces of carpet had been draped over them preventing a view inside.

    Further visits took place in 2019, and officers confirmed that the waste was still present.

    On one occasion, the defendant was seen arriving with two others in a white Transit van containing what appeared to be waste.

    At a formal interview on 13 February 2020, Harytczak admitted he had been conducting waste activities from the site.

    A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

    We welcome this sentence from the court that we hope will act as a deterrent to others considering flouting the law.

    This site posed a significant environmental threat due to the high risk of fire and potentially significant impact to local communities and amenities.

    As a regulator, the Environment Agency will not hesitate to pursue individuals who fail to meet its obligations to the environment.

    Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment, harm human health and undermine local legitimate waste companies.

    If anyone is suspicious of waste activities, they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.

    The charges:

    Between 24 July 2017 and 28 September 2017, at Yard off Tranker Lane, Worksop, Andrzej Harytczak did operate a regulated facility, namely a waste operation for the deposit, treatment and storage of waste, except under and to the extent authorised by an environmental permit, contrary to regulations 12(1) and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016.

    Between 25 April 2019 and 9 December 2019, at Yard off Tranker Lane, Worksop, Andrzej Harytczak did operate a regulated facility, namely a waste operation for the deposit, treatment and storage of waste, except under and to the extent authorised by an environmental permit, contrary to regulations 12(1) and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Anglian Water fined £2.65m after sewage discharged into North Sea [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Anglian Water fined £2.65m after sewage discharged into North Sea [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 28 April 2023.

    Largest ever fine imposed for environmental offences in the East region.

    Anglian Water pleaded guilty and was hit with a fine of £2.65m after allowing untreated sewage to overflow into the North Sea following a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency.

    A catalogue of failures by the company to manage and monitor effluent at the Jaywick Water Recycling Centre in Essex led to sewage being discharged into the sea.

    These discharges occurred because Anglian Water decommissioned a piece of equipment, which led to the conditions for untreated sewage to be released into the North Sea. It failed to act on available data that would have alerted it to the issue. There was also a lack of an alarm system to inform the water company of how often these discharges were occurring.

    Anglian Water was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £16,520.09 and a victim surcharge of £170 at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court (27 April 2023). Resulting in a total financial penalty of £2,666,690.09.

    It is the largest ever fine imposed for environmental offences in the region.

    Since 2010, water companies have been responsible for self-monitoring water recycling sites with the Environment Agency guidance to inspect sites every 8 years.

    An investigation in 2018 found that the discharges into the North Sea, recorded over a month between June and July, was the equivalent of more than 3 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Or 7,500,000 litres.

    The Jaywick Water Recycling Centre does have an Environment Agency permit, which only allows discharges into the sea during storm conditions.

    Sentencing Anglian Water, District Judge King said ‘more could and should have been done’ to prevent this pollution.

    He added that it should not have taken Environment Agency officers to spot what was happening during a routine inspection. And said they simply ‘heard, looked and saw’ what Anglian Water operatives, who were present on site every day, should have seen.

    He told the court the fact that ‘Anglian Water finds itself in court so frequently’ must be reflected in the level of the fine. And referred to ‘a clear pattern of the company not responding adequately’ to previous penalties.

    Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell said:

    The Environment Agency’s officers were instrumental in highlighting the scale of Anglian Water’s discharges into the North Sea – equivalent to three Olympic swimming pools of waste water in a month – and ensuring the water company has been made to pay for its pollution.

    The Environment Agency will pursue any water company that fails to uphold the law or protect nature and will continue to press for the strongest possible penalties.

    Water Minister Rebecca Pow said:

    I am clear that water companies must not profit from environmental damage.

    This latest result follows on the heels of a £2.1m fine handed to South West Water. In both cases, the fines will rightly be paid solely from the company’s operating profits and not passed on to customer bills.

    Going forward all fines will be paid into our Water Restoration Fund to support projects that will help improve our natural environment and our water quality.

    Jeremy Hay, Senior Environment Officer at the Environment Agency, said:

    This prosecution highlights the volume of sewage being discharged into our waters is unacceptable and that the Environment Agency is taking action to make sure polluters are held to account.

    We welcome the sentence, which sends out the message that we will not hesitate to prosecute companies which endanger communities and disregard the environment and the law.

    Polluters should always be held to account, and, as much as our resources allow, we will always investigate significant pollution incidents and bring those responsible before the courts.

    If members of the public are concerned about pollution, they should call our 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

    Overall, water quality in our rivers, estuaries and coastal waters has improved greatly over the last few decades. Largely due to robust regulation by the Environment Agency and investment by the water companies.

    The number of serious water pollution incidents caused by the water and sewerage companies has been reduced dramatically, from over 500 in the early 1990s down to just 62 in 2021.

    The bathing waters around our coasts are in the best state they have been for decades. In 2022, 72% of beaches and inland waters met the ‘Excellent’ standard, the highest since new stringent standards were introduced in 2015.

    The court heard how Anglian Water could have done more to prevent these discharges. Data was available to indicate storm flows were occurring in dry weather which should have prompted an investigation by Anglian Water.

    There was also no alarm in place to indicate regular storm overflow operation and prompt further investigation. The court also heard how a simple ‘walkover’ inspection would have alerted Anglian Water to the issues.

    The blockage was cleared by Anglian Water in August 2018.

    Anglian Water have since taken several actions to address issues found at the site. These included ensuring equipment was in working order, implementing a regular cleaning regime, and increasing the storm flow separation weir height to reduce the possibility of premature overflows.

  • PRESS RELEASE : South West Water given £2.1m fine for pollution offences [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : South West Water given £2.1m fine for pollution offences [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 26 April 2023.

    Largest ever fine imposed for environmental offences in Devon and Cornwall as South West Water is told by court ‘incidents of pollution will no longer be tolerated’.

    South West Water (SWW) has been fined more than £2 million for a series of environmental offences across Devon and Cornwall spanning a period of four years.

    It is the largest ever fine imposed for environmental offences in the region.

    Delivering her sentence, District Judge Matson said ‘incidents of pollution will no longer be tolerated by these courts’ and fined the water company £2,150,000 today (26 April 2023).

    The EA has shown that there were numerous common deficiencies in the implementation of SWW’s management systems which have contributed to each of these offences.

    The company had pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing and District Judge Matson, sitting at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court, sentenced the company on 13 charges – six for illegal water discharge activities and for seven offences of contravening environmental permit conditions.

    The offences took place between July 2016 and August 2020 at Lostwithiel, Kilmington, Crediton and Torpoint sewage treatment works and the Watergate Bay sewage pumping station.

    The water company was ordered to pay £280,000 costs and £170 victim surcharge.

    Inaccurate and inadequate operational procedures led to harmful chemicals escaping from SWW sites on more than one occasion which resulted in significant environmental damage, including sites at Kilmington on the River Axe and in Crediton on the River Creedy. Following the spill at Kilmington, thousands of fish died in the River Axe, including some protected species.

    Failure by SWW to operate its assets and processes in an effective manner was also demonstrated at Lostwithiel in July 2016, where raw sewage was pumped into the River Fowey for more than 12 hours despite control room alarms indicating there was an issue with the works.

    Not responding adequately to alarms the same year resulted in an illegal discharge from the Watergate Bay sewage pumping station in August 2016. The discharge lasted for more than 35 hours and a sample taken from a stream at the beach showed E. coli levels to be 2,000 times higher than the level that would be classified as poor.

    On two occasions, effluent from the Torpoint sewage treatment works was pumped into the St John’s Lake Site of Special Scientific Interest – this also lies within the Plymouth Sounds and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation. The site is designated due to its variety of bird life and invertebrates.

    Today’s sentence ‘shows the shareholders and management of South West Water the importance of compliance’, said the judge.

    Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

    We welcome this sentence. Serious pollution is a serious crime – and we have been clear that the polluter must pay.

    The Environment Agency will pursue any water company that fails to uphold the law or protect nature and will continue to press for the strongest possible penalties.

    Water Minister Rebecca Pow said:

    Water companies should not be letting this happen and those that do will be punished using the full force of the law. This fine reflects the severity of the pollution that occurred across Devon and Cornwall, causing damage to both wildlife and protected sites.

    It will rightly be paid solely from the company’s operating profits and not passed on to customer bills.

    As set out in our recent Plan for Water, fines handed out to water companies that pollute our rivers and seas will be re-invested into a new Water Restoration Fund, which will deliver on-the-ground improvements to our natural environment and water quality.

    Clarissa Newell, Environment Agency environment manager for Devon and Cornwall, said:

    Failure to apply basic environment management principles has caused pollution incidents at some of the most scenic locations in Devon and Cornwall including bathing waters and designated Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

    Having alarms to alert you that sewage is spilling is no good if no action is taken. Enforcement is intended to prevent these things from happening again and ensure South West Water improve and meet the expectations placed on it.

    Like all water companies, South West Water has a responsibility to operate in accordance with permit conditions and to prevent pollution. Polluters must pay and the Environment Agency will continue to do everything in its power to ensure that they do.

  • PRESS RELEASE : North East man, Christopher Williams, sentenced after waste illegally burnt on land [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : North East man, Christopher Williams, sentenced after waste illegally burnt on land [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 25 April 2023.

    A County Durham man has been sentenced to suspended jail time for repeatedly storing and burning waste in a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency.

    Christopher Williams, 64, of Acton Dene in Stanley, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 18 April where he pleaded guilty to two charges of operating an illegal waste site and one of not complying with an Environment Agency notice to provide information about waste disposal.

    Prosecuting on behalf of the Environment Agency, Chris Bunting told the court that Williams dumped and burnt waste on a smallholding at School House Farm in Kiln Pitt Hill, near the A68 and Derwent Reservoir.

    He was sentenced to 36 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.

    The land was not authorised for any waste activities and the court heard that it would be very unlikely that a waste operation would be allowed at that location.

    Advice and law ‘deliberately disregarded’

    Andrew Turner, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said:

    Environmental permits are in place for the protection of the public and environment and waste crime such as this – burning waste like plastics and treated wood that produces a toxic smoke – can be extremely damaging.

    Our officers repeatedly told Williams to stop burning waste and clear it from the land but he deliberately disregarded their advice and the law.

    We take all waste crime seriously and I hope this sentence sends out a message to others that we will take tough action against those who flout the rules. People can report waste crime to our 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060.

    Environment Agency investigation

    Williams operates an organisation known as the LCA Community Charity, which provides help to people, schools and other charities with clothing and furniture, and offers house and shop clearance services. However, the court heard that Williams regularly dumped and burned residual waste from those activities at the smallholding.

    In March 2020, the Environment Agency received a report of burning on land at School House Farm. Officers attended and saw mixed construction and household waste, including a metal garage door, plastic guttering, wood, a shopping trolley and a fridge. They also saw evidence of burning, with a one-metre high pile of ash.

    Officers instructed Williams to stop the fires and clear the remaining waste from the land, but checks at the end of May revealed more waste had been dumped with nearby piles of ash from fires.

    Williams said no further burning would take place and he would clear the site of waste and at the end of August 2020 the site was largely cleared.

    During the following months officers continued their investigation into the waste activities and issued a notice to Williams requiring him to provide documentation relating to the removal of waste from his site, so the EA could track its disposal. They didn’t receive a response and Williams received a fine, which he did not pay.

    In March 2022, Environment Agency officers again attended the farm, and again saw household waste had been dumped, along with doors, window frames and furniture. Two months later, several reports were received of waste again being dumped and burned on the site, and inspections revealed a large pile of ash with a new, more concealed burning location discovered and waste hidden under a tarpaulin.

    The court was told that Williams had twice been convicted in the past 9 years for similar offences involving waste burning. Magistrates decided that although a custodial sentence was inevitable, it could be suspended on account of the guilty pleas and testimonials from people who had been supported by donations received.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Have your say on proposed change to permit conditions at Hinkley Point C [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Have your say on proposed change to permit conditions at Hinkley Point C [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 25 April 2023.

    The Environment Agency is launching today a second 4-week consultation on a proposed change to discharge water at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station near Bridgwater.

    Our proposed decision is that we should grant the permit variation for the water discharge activity. The limits and conditions attached to the permit will make sure that people and the environment are protected from water discharge under normal operation.

    To reach our proposed decision, we considered relevant legislation, policy and guidance alongside responses to our initial consultation on the application.

    Assessments were also carried out on habitats, sites of special scientific interest and the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

    The existing permit regulates the operational water discharge activities from Hinkley Point C. These are discharges of non-radioactive liquid effluents and include:

    • returned cooling water from the turbine condensers
    • trade process effluents from the various plant systems (including those that maintain water purity and chemistry to keep the best operating conditions and maximise efficiency)
    • treated sewage effluent (from staff welfare facilities)

    The draft varied permit will also now regulate returned seawater through a fish recovery and return system.

    As a result of our assessment on the impact of the fish recovery and return system discharge, we propose including limits on volume, rate and the total biomass discharged from the fish recovery and return system outlet.

    We propose removing all conditions (or parts of conditions) relating to the acoustic fish deterrent (AFD).

    We have concluded that there would be no adverse effect on the integrity of the relevant European sites (in relation to pollution from regulated discharges to waters) if there is no AFD in place. This includes those sites functionally linked to the Severn Estuary.

    We have also concluded that the proposed permit variation will not cause the current status of the  water bodies to deteriorate, nor prevent them from achieving their objectives.

    The draft varied permit includes the requirement to use an additional operating technique and an improvement condition. It also includes two pre-operational conditions which need Environment Agency approval before the proposed power station can be commissioned or begin to operate.

    This is to make sure that NNB Generation Company (Hinkley Point C) Limited builds and operates the proposed power station according to the commitments made in its permit application.

    We intend to publish our final decision in summer 2023.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Education initiative highlights the hidden plastic in period products [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Education initiative highlights the hidden plastic in period products [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 24 April 2023.

    Schoolchildren taught about period products and why they should never be flushed down the loo.

    Over 10,000 school children across South West England and East Anglia have been taught about period products and why they should never be flushed down the loo.

    Award-winning education programme Rethink Periods has reached thousands of pupils across the Interreg Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP) project area in the last 18 months (see attached list).

    The Rethink Periods programme, run by environmental not-for-profit organisation City to Sea and funded via the Environment Agency as a PPP partner, is a free schools training programme updating mainstream period education in primary and secondary schools.

    It offers unbiased training and materials on all period care products available and explores the social and environmental context that periods sit in.  Part of the PSHE (Personal Social Health Education) accredited programme highlights the environmental damage caused by flushing menstrual products.

    Many people do not realise how much plastic is embedded into the products, not just the outer packaging. For example, a big-brand pack of 14 menstrual pads contains the same amount of plastic as 5 carrier bags.

    Pupils also learn that period products block sewer pipes, creating overflow that escapes into our rivers and seas. Currently, around 2.5 million tampons, 1.4 million pads and 700,000 panty liners are flushed every single day in the UK, costing water companies around £100 million every year as they deal with the resulting blockages.

    An early pilot of the programme found that:

    • 72% of teachers had previously thought that flushing tampons down the toilet was okay
    • Students were 25% less likely to use disposable tampons and 50% less likely to use disposable pads after the unbiased lessons
    • Students were 4 times more likely to try  plastic-free disposables after the unbiased lessons and three times more likely to try  menstrual cups.

    Sarah Martin, Environment Agency project lead, said:

    We are proud to have played a part in such a culturally and environmentally significant project informing young people about the hidden plastic in period products to help promote reusable and plastic-free period care as an alternative to brands we’re more familiar with. It has been very encouraging to have such a positive response to the training programme.

    Jo Taylor, Rethink Periods co-ordinator at City to Sea, said:

    Historically period education has been monopolised by big-brands only talking about the products that they sell. We don’t think this is fair – everyone has different needs, different bodies, different lifestyles, and financial means. We believe that every child should receive unbiased, clear, and accessible information about periods and period products so they can decide about what is right for them and their bodies.

    The initiative is one of many projects being funded by the 3 year cross channel Interreg PPP project – a partnership of 18 organisations which aims to identify and target plastic hotspots, embed behaviour change in local communities and businesses, and implement effective solutions and alternatives.

    The project builds on Environment Agency goals and commitments outlined in its five year plan to create better places for people, wildlife and the environment.

    Background

    City to Sea

    City to Sea is  a  Bristol-based not-for-profit organisation, campaigning to stop plastic pollution at source. It’s award-winning campaigns are tackling the single-use plastic items most found on beaches and in rivers and oceans by providing practical solutions and championing reuse over single-use.

    City to Sea is behind the award-winning Plastic Free Periods campaign, the Refill Campaign, which has saved 100 million plastic bottles from entering our waste stream and #SwitchTheStick preventing over 478 tonnes of single-use, plastic-stemmed cotton buds from being produced each year.

    Interreg Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP) (@Plastic_EU):

    PPP seeks to understand and reduce the impacts of plastic pollution in the river and marine environments by looking at the catchments from source to sea.

    PPP is a €14million funded EU INTERREG VA France (Channel) England Programme project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund which works mainly across pilot catchments: Brest Harbour, Bay of Douarnenez, Bay of Veys, Test and Itchen, East Hampshire, Poole Harbour,  Medway, Tamar, and the Great Ouse catchments.

    Partners are the Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Queen Mary University of London, LABOCEA Conseil, Expertise et Analyses, Syndicat mixte établissement public de gestion et d’aménagement de la baie de Douarnenez, Office Français De La Biodiversité, Parc naturel marin d’Iroise, Brest Métropole, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Counseil départemental de la Manche, Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer, The Rivers Trust, Syndicat de bassin de l’Elorn, ACTIMAR, Brest’aim, Westcountry Rivers Trust, South East Rivers Trust, and Plymouth City Council.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Landowner John Price sentenced for destruction of River Lugg, Herefordshire [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Landowner John Price sentenced for destruction of River Lugg, Herefordshire [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 20 April 2023.

    Natural England and Environment Agency see justice delivered for nature as landowner sentenced for destruction of part of the River Lugg in Herefordshire.

    • Natural England and the Environment Agency welcome the sentencing of John Price for the destruction of 1.5km of the protected River Lugg in 2020
    • Habitats of otters, kingfishers, trout and salmon were among those destroyed
    • The damage is the worst case of riverside destruction seen by the organisations and could take several decades to be fully restored
    • This is the first prosecution under Farming Rules for Water

    Natural England and the Environment Agency have today welcomed the seriousness with which the Court has treated the severe and lasting damage to the River Lugg, which destroyed habitats and wildlife on a stretch of one of the country’s most unspoiled rivers.

    John Price appeared today at Kidderminster Magistrates Court where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £600,000 and disqualified from being a director of a limited company for three years. In addition, a Restoration Order under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 was imposed requiring Mr Price to carry out a number of actions to restore the river.

    The sentence is the result of legal action launched last year by Natural England and the Environment Agency following a joint in-depth investigation into environmental harm caused by the work in 2020 and 2021.

    The River Lugg before destruction by the landowner

    Mr Price used heavy machinery including bulldozers and excavators to dredge and reprofile a 1.5km stretch of the River Lugg at Kingsland, Herefordshire, destroying the riverbed and banks. The unconsented works were in breach of several regulations, including the Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018, also known as the Farming Rules for Water; and operations prohibited in the notification of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which persisted despite Mr Price being issued with a Stop Notice.

    Due to the exceptionally high diversity of wildlife, the River Lugg is a designated SSSI, with 121 river plant species that live in the river and provide habitat for invertebrates, fish and birds. The damage to the river and banks removed the habitats of hundreds of these species including otters, kingfishers and salmon as well as destroying trees, aquatic plant life and invertebrates. It is predicted to take decades to re-establish mature trees to provide the stability, cover and shade to restore the diversity of the river. Fish, plants, native crayfish and birds may take years to make a gradual return to previous populations.

    In sentencing Mr Price, the Judge noted that neither the Environment Agency nor Natural England did anything to encourage these works.

    Speaking after the verdict, Emma Johnson, Area Manager for Natural England said:

    “The destruction of this section of the River Lugg was devastating for the abundance and range of species which thrived in this river. The River Lugg is one of the most iconic rivers in the UK and to see this wanton destruction take place was devastating. This is why we have used our powers as regulators to see that justice was done and to act as a stark warning to others that we will take the strongest action against those who do not respect the laws that protect the environment and wildlife we all cherish. “We want to ensure that Mr Price now takes the necessary actions which we hope, in time will restore this much-loved stretch of river to its former condition.”

    Martin Quine, Environment Agency Place Manager for Herefordshire added:

    “We welcome the outcome of this prosecution for the unconsented works on the River Lugg.

    “The Environment Agency is working hard to restore the health of our rivers. It is a complex task that can only be achieved in partnership with landowners. We provide advice and guidance but will impose sanctions or prosecute where appropriate to protect the environment and ensure those who breach regulations are held to account. The vast majority of landowners and users fully cooperate with this process.

    “While Mr Price’s justification for the works was to help prevent flooding to local properties, his actions did not have any flood prevention benefit. The destruction of river banks is not appropriate flood management. It is important that the Judge recognised that the works significantly weakened flood prevention measures rather than improved them.“We urge landowners never to take extreme measure such as this and instead to always work closely with the Environment Agency around river management to agree the best solutions for both landowners and the environment.”

    As a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the Lugg is afforded the highest level of environmental protection. Works to SSSIs or any watercourses must be done in such a way that protects the environment and does not cause any impact on flooding. Such works can only be undertaken after securing permits from the Environment Agency.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New trees to benefit community, wildlife and environment in the Lower Otter [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New trees to benefit community, wildlife and environment in the Lower Otter [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 17 April 2023.

    The Lower Otter Restoration Project has planted over 23,000 native trees.

    • Over 2 hectares of broadleaf woodland will transform a former landfill
    • The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative saw 225 trees planted on site

    The Lower Otter Restoration Project (LORP) in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, is celebrating another key step ahead of its completion later this year, with over 23,000 saplings now planted across the site as part of the work.

    Of these trees, 225 were planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme, which was launched last year to leave a legacy for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

    A significant proportion of this planting is located on the former domestic tip site, which has been raised to enable it to be reclaimed by nature and become a pleasant green space for the community and visitors.

    Earlier this month, Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, joined Andrea Ayres, Operations Manager at the Environment Agency, to plant a tree on the tip site, view the project’s progress, and celebrate World Planting Day.

    Species planted include a mix of canopy species trees and understory shrubs and small trees such as field maple; silver and downy birch; crack, grey, goat and white willow; guelder and dog rose; crab apple; wild cherry; hawthorn; blackthorn; hornbeam, and pedunculate and sessile oak.

    New hedgerows have also been planted, and other existing hedgerows have been thickened and improved. This helps improve connectivity through the landscape for wildlife such as dormice and birds that rely on them for refuge, and bats that use them to navigate.

    Trees and hedgerows provide many benefits: they create vital habitat for small mammals, birds and insects; increase local biodiversity; ‘lock-in’ carbon, and contribute to improving human health and wellbeing, especially where they are associated with recreational access.

    LORP’s extensive planting scheme continues to create more woodland and offsets the removal of some mature trees earlier in the project.

    Vegetation was initially cleared to provide the open estuarine habitat necessary to attract waders and other key bird species (wading birds need far-reaching views to enable them to be able to feed without being predated). Vegetation has also now effectively been relocated to areas around the site where it will not be adversely affected by saltwater re-entering the historic floodplain or snag debris.

    Dan Boswell of the Environment Agency said:

    This is another big step forward for the project and our efforts to restore the Lower Otter Valley to a more natural state. The planting addresses some of the ecological and environmental challenges we have in the area and will play an important role in enhancing local biodiversity and visitor’s experiences.

    It is early days, but the Lower Otter Restoration Project is already having clear positive effects on the valley’s ability to attract more and more varied birdlife, and as these saplings grow and the newly restored wetlands develop, this will greatly increase.

    The Lower Otter Restoration Project is an intertidal habitat restoration project delivered by the Environment Agency in partnership with the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust and Clinton Devon Estates. It is part of a cross-border initiative called ‘Promoting Adaptation to Changing Coasts’ (PACCo) and is delivering climate change adaptation by working with nature to provide benefits for people and the environment.

    Work includes a 70-metre breach in embankments to reconnect the Otter Estuary to its historic floodplain; restoring 55 hectares of wetland habitat; the construction of a 30-metre span flood resilient, raised road and road bridge, as well as a new footbridge over the location of the future breach to ensure continuity of the South West Coast Path; the relocation of Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club away from the floodplain; raising and improving public footpaths, and creating wildlife viewing areas.

    To find out more about the Lower Otter Restoration Project, visit: www.lowerotterrestorationproject.co.uk.

    For more information on the PACCo initiative, visit: www.pacco-interreg.com.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Father and son who operated illegal waste business in court [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Father and son who operated illegal waste business in court [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 13 April 2023.

    A father and son who ran a waste business at their then home in Sticker, Cornwall appeared in court on Tuesday.

    Michael Joseph Richards, 59, now living at Menorca Lane, Bugle and his son, also called Michael, aged 31 now of Ocean Rise, Scredda pleaded guilty at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court. Richards Junior, who admitted three offences, was ordered to pay fines, costs and a victim surcharge totalling £4,443. In the case of Richards Senior, magistrates decided that the offences, together with a similar previous conviction, was too serious for a fine and ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared. He will now be sentenced on 18 May.

    Magistrates noted that reoffending was unlikely as the land has since been sold.

    In a case brought by the Environment Agency both men admitted offences relating to running a waste site at their former home at The Paddocks, St Stephen’s Road, Sticker, without a permit. In addition, Richards Junior was also charged with transferring waste without a written description and with not being registered to carry controlled waste.

    The court heard that in September 2020 the Environment Agency was informed that waste was being taken to the site and burned. A month later the fire service was called to a fire at the site where they found building and household waste including plasterboard, timber, cement bags, rigid insulation, electrical appliances, furniture and plastic household objects. Surrounding the fire was more waste debris including radiators, fridges and a caravan. The fire was close to a gas tank and the main A390 road which meant there was the potential for causing a smoke hazard.

    Environment officer Stephen Clark went to the site soon after where he found more household waste, car tyres and a caravan full of building waste. Richards Junior was served a notice to provide waste transfer notes within a week, but he did not respond. At a later meeting at the site with Richards Junior he agreed to remove the waste and admitted that he had taken much of it there when he was not registered to do so.

    Richards Junior failed to comply with a notice to remove the waste and by June 2021 it was still there, with more waste having been taken to the site.

    Following the hearing, Stephen Clark from the Environment Agency said: “This was both an environmental and fire hazard as well as being a blight on the village, added to which, such illegal waste activities undermine the work of legitimate businesses in the sector.”

    Notes to editors

    Michael Richards Senior pleaded guilty to two charges:

    Between 21 September 2020 and 25 June 2021, permitted the carrying on of a waste operation, on land known as The Paddocks, St Stephens Road, Sticker, St Austell in respect of which no environmental permit was in force.

    Contrary to regulations 38(1)(b) and 12(1)(b) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016

    Between the 21 September 2020 and 25 June 2021, deposited, or knowingly caused or knowingly permitted the deposit of controlled waste including mixed building and household waste on land, namely The Paddocks, St Stephens Road, Sticker, St Austell, in respect of which no environmental permit was in force.

    Contrary to section 33(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

    Michael Richards Junior pleaded guilty to three charges:

    Between the 21 September 2020 and 25 June 2021, deposited, or knowingly caused or knowingly permitted the deposit of controlled waste including mixed building and household waste on land, namely The Paddocks, St Stephens Road, Sticker, St Austell, in respect of which no environmental permit was in force.

    Contrary to section 33(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

    On dates unknown between 21 September 2020 and 25 June 2021, when transferring waste, including mixed building and household waste, between places unknown and to The Paddocks, St Stephens Road, Sticker, St Austell, failed to secure that there was transferred such a written description of the waste as would enable other persons to avoid a contravention of Section 33 Environmental Protection Act 1990.

    Contrary to Section 34(1)(c) and 34(6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

    On dates unknown between 21 September 2020 and 25 June 2021 being a person who is not a registered carrier of controlled waste, did in the course of your business or otherwise with a view to profit, transport controlled waste, namely mixed building and household waste to The Paddocks, St Stephens Road, Sticker, St Austell, being a place in Great Britain.

    Contrary to section 1(1) of the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989.