It was damaged during ditch clearance work
A water vole(Image: PA)
Two companies which destroyed the habitat of a rare and endangered species in the Cotswolds will donate to a charity to support wildlife in the area.
The natural habitat of the water vole, which are an endangered species in the UK, was damaged during ditch clearance work in Lechlade in March this year.
Gloucestershire Police’s Rural Crime Team visited the site, near The Wern, with the Environment Agency (EA) wildlife experts.
The water vole is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 – it is an offence to kill or take them, as well as to damage or destroy a place used for their protection.
The wildlife experts provided evidence that that water voles used to live in the area and confirmed the animals had left due to the loss of their habitat.
A criminal investigation was launched the two companies responsible for the habitat loss were identified – the contractor who carried out the ditch clearing work and the company who owned the land and instructed them to carry out the work.
Both were found responsible for the illegal activity which damaged and destroyed the water vole’s habitat.
However, the investigation also found that there had been no intention to destroy the habitat and the ditch clearance work was not for financial gain.
The companies were given words of advise about legislation and planning required to protect habitat and wildlife before undertaking such work.
A community resolution was agreed, with both companies agreeing to fund a two-year water vole survey, to be carried out by field ecologists at the Cotswold Lake Trust charity.
The companies also made a donation to support the charity’s nature recovery work in the 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.”