Jul 21 2006
WEB Construction Limited pleaded guilty at Cullompton Magistrates’ Court to an offence of intentionally damaging part of the Exe Estuary SSSI during the construction of an office at Odham’s Wharf, Topsham.
English Nature brought the prosecution after an employee of the Exeter based company dumped silt on to the salt marsh smothering a 500 square metre area in August 2005. Full recovery of the salt marsh vegetation will take at least three to five years.
The Exe Estuary is internationally protected for its wintering and migratory wading birds and wildfowl populations. Over 30,000 birds spent the winter months in the estuary. Salt marshes provide an important food and refuge resource for wading birds and wildfowl such as Brent geese, avocets and black-tailed godwits.
Salt marshes are a rapidly declining habitat with over 100 hectares disappearing every year in the UK. The main threats are from coastal development, flood defence works and the impact of climate change resulting in ‘coastal squeeze’. Coastal squeeze occurs when sea defences prevent vegetation migrating landwards in response to sea-level rise resulting in a loss of coastal habitats such as salt marsh.
SSSIs contain some of the best remaining wildlife and geological features in England. Protecting wildlife and their habitats is necessary if our natural heritage is to be conserved for future generations.
Chris Davis, English Nature’s Maritime Conservation Officer in Devon, said: “It is unusual that damage of this nature occurs to protected sites and I am pleased that the developer has pleaded guilty to the offence. English Nature is responsible for the protection of England’s wildlife and will take action to achieve this.”