A civil engineering firm has been prosecuted after pleading guilty to illegally dumping waste on land used as a newt habitat in Herefordshire.

John Jones Civil Engineering & Groundworks has been fined £50,000 with £50,000 in costs after charges were brought by the Environment Agency under the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2010.

More than 5,000 tonnes of soil, stone, brick and concrete were deposited by the company between July 2014 and October 2014m into two land hollows on land at Bage Farm.


However, the hollows were a habitat for great-crested newts, a European protected species, with the depositing of the waste resulting in the disturbance, injury, and killing of some of the newt population.

As part of the fine, Hereford Magistrates’ Court ordered the company to pay the costs that it had avoided in failing to lawfully dispose of the waste. The company has also been previously cautioned for environmental offences in 2010 and 2011.

In mitigation, John Jones' barrister stated that the company had pleaded guilty to the offence and had no previous convictions, as well as stating the newt population had thrived in the time following the offence.

Speaking after the case, Environment Officer Lyndon Essex, said: "Waste crime is a serious offence with tough penalties as it can damage the environment and undermine those who operate legally. This case sends out a clear message that we will not hesitate to take action to ensure the protection of the environment."

(LM)