Thursday 02 Jul 2009 @ 13:45
Natural England
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Man ordered to restore area of nationally important conservation site in Cambridgeshire
A man has been ordered to restore an area of the Cam Washes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near Wicken after constructing a track and a car parking area through an important wildlife habitat.
On 30th June 2009, Mr Andrew Lawrence pleaded guilty at Ely Magistrates' Court, to five offences relating to construction of a 180m long track and creating a car parking area and destroying an area of habitat used as nesting sites for birds. Magistrates issued Mr Lawrence with a 12 month Conditional Discharge Order.
Magistrates also made an order that the track and car park be removed from the site, to be carried out at Mr Lawrence’s expense. He was also ordered to pay £1000 costs. The SSSI, consisting of a series of low-lying washland pastures, is nationally important for its numbers and diversity of breeding wildfowl and wading birds including snipe, redshank and teal. The Cam Washes are the third largest area of washland remaining in Cambridgeshire.
Tim Hill, Natural England’s Director of Regulatory Services and Access, said: “We are always disappointed by having to bring prosecutions as it means that some of England’s most important wildlife has already been lost or damaged. We’re pleased that the damage to this precious habitat will be put right and we would expect that any adverse impact on bird survival will be reduced as a consequence. We always try to maintain positive partnerships with owners and occupiers, but we will prosecute when necessary.”
Notes for editors:
On 30th June 2009, Mr Andrew Lawrence pleaded guilty at Ely Magistrates' Court, to five offences relating to construction of a 180m long track and creating a car parking area and destroying an area of habitat used as nesting sites for birds. Magistrates issued Mr Lawrence with a 12 month Conditional Discharge Order.
Magistrates also made an order that the track and car park be removed from the site, to be carried out at Mr Lawrence’s expense. He was also ordered to pay £1000 costs. The SSSI, consisting of a series of low-lying washland pastures, is nationally important for its numbers and diversity of breeding wildfowl and wading birds including snipe, redshank and teal. The Cam Washes are the third largest area of washland remaining in Cambridgeshire.
Tim Hill, Natural England’s Director of Regulatory Services and Access, said: “We are always disappointed by having to bring prosecutions as it means that some of England’s most important wildlife has already been lost or damaged. We’re pleased that the damage to this precious habitat will be put right and we would expect that any adverse impact on bird survival will be reduced as a consequence. We always try to maintain positive partnerships with owners and occupiers, but we will prosecute when necessary.”
Notes for editors:
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are notified and afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as substituted by Schedule 9 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and amendments made by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Amongst other legal obligations the legislation places requirements on owners and occupiers of land within SSSIs, public bodies and other persons. Proceedings for this case were brought under section 28P(1) of the 1981 Act .
Section 31 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as substituted by Schedule 9 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 enables the Court to make a Restoration Order specifying operations for the purpose of restoring the SSSI to its former condition prior to the damage occurring. If the terms of the Restoration Order are not complied with, Natural England may enter the land and carry out those operations, recovering expenses from the person against whom the Restoration Order was made. It is an offence, without reasonable excuse, not to comply with the terms of the Restoration Order.
Matthew Boyer, Appletree Barn, Changford, Devon, TQ13 8JQ, acted on Natural England’s behalf in this case.
For more information contact Natural England’s National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, out of hours 07970 098005, email press@naturalengland.org.uk. or visit our website at www.naturalengland.org.uk
Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.
