Firms to 'make amends' for destroying vole habitat

Water voles are a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Two companies who illegally destroyed a habitat for the UK's fastest-declining mammal species have agreed to fund an ecological survey to "make amends".

The Environment Agency (EA) said it had received a report in March that ditch clearance work in Lechlade, Gloucestershire, had destroyed a water vole habitat.

The agency said a criminal investigation found there had been "no ill intent", although the companies had been given prior advice about laws protecting wildlife.

Both companies, who are not named in the EA statement, agreed to fund a two-year water vole survey by ecologists at the Cotswold Lakes Trust charity, alongside a donation to support the charity's nature recovery work.

Due to the water voles being protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Gloucestershire Police's rural crime team attended the location near The Wern.

Wildlife experts were able to show water voles had been in the area and confirmed they had left the area after the habitat was destroyed.

The EA added that during the investigation it was identified both companies were unaware the ditch clearance work would harm the habitat, and had not benefitted financially.

Richard Parker, Cotswolds rural, wildlife and heritage crime officer at Gloucestershire Police, said: "A community resolution was therefore the most appropriate and proportionate outcome.

"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."