Companies agree to Community Resolution following destruction of water vole habitat in the Cotswolds

Two companies who illegally destroyed a habitat used by a protected species in the Cotswolds have agreed to a Community Resolution.

In March this year police were contacted by the Environment Agency (EA) who had received a report that ditch clearance work in Lechlade had destroyed a habitat used by water voles, the UK’s fastest declining mammal species.

Due to the water vole being protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Gloucestershire Police’s Rural Crime Team attended the location near The Wern, along with the Environment Agency.

Their wildlife experts were able to provide evidence of the previous existence and habitation of water voles in that area and confirmed that the animals had subsequently left the location due to the loss of their habitat.

A criminal investigation was launched and the contractor who carried out the ditch clearance work was identified as well as the company in charge of the land who had instructed the contractors to undertake the work.

It was found that they were both responsible for the illegal activity which damaged and destroyed the water vole’s habitat.

During the investigation it was identified that there had been no intention to destroy the water vole’s habitat and that the ditch clearance work had not been for financial gain.

Words of advice were given in relation to the legislation and planning required to protect habitat and wildlife prior to works taking place.

As a Community Resolution, both companies agreed to fund a two-year water vole survey which is to be carried out by experienced field ecologists at the Cotswold Lake Trust charity. They had also made a further donation to support the charity’s nature recovery work in the local area.

Cotswolds Rural, Wildlife and Heritage Crime Officer Richard Parker said: “In this case, it was clear that both companies were unaware that the ditch clearance work would destroy a habitat that was being used by a protected species and there was no deliberate intention to cause harm to the water voles.

“A community resolution was therefore the most appropriate and proportionate outcome, and it has provided an opportunity for the companies involved to better understand the impact their actions have caused and to make amends for the harm they have caused.

“They are now funding a survey to support the bio-diversity in the local area and they have also agreed to ensure their employees are given training on sensitive bio-diverse locations in order to protect the natural environment and any species that may live there.”