Landowner Phillip Day has been fined a total of £450,000 and ordered to pay costs of £457,317 after admitting two counts of damaging a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Cumbria.
Natural England prosecuted Mr. Day after he caused unauthorised and damaging work to be carried out on the Gelt Woods SSSI, an area of legally protected ancient woodland.
In November 2010, trees were felled on the slopes of the SSSI and land excavated to create a significant track. These activities severely damaged the woodland ground flora.
At Carlisle Crown Court Judge Peter Hughes QC said that Mr. Day had been ‘grossly negligent’ in relation to the works done.
Janette Ward, Natural England’s regulation director, said: ‘We were disappointed that woodland of such ecological importance, and one that was very special to the local community, was so severely damaged. We welcome the fact that Mr. Day has undertaken a programme of voluntary restoration and hope that he will now work with us to manage this special area more appropriately in the future.’
Read Natural England’s news release at: LINK
Search Planning Portal: LINK
