NATURAL RESOURCES WALES, the public body responsible for the protection of Wales’ environmental heritage has failed to answer key questions put to it regarding the wanton destruction of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Landowner Andrew Thomas scrubbed up and destroyed the landscape at Cernydd Carmel near Maesybont last year.
What has happened since has been a travesty of action and enforcement with both Carmarthenshire County Council and Natural Resources Wales apparently colluding in an effort to relieve Mr Thomas from the consequences of his actions.
The site has been so extensively damaged that both Natural Resources Wales and the local authority have reached an understanding that it is beyond rescue. Instead they have been slowly working out a management plan which would limit the number of horses Mr Thomas can graze and the times of year when they can graze. On past performance, the likelihood that Mr Thomas would ever abide by either the letter or spirit of any agreement is nil.
The spinelessness of the statutory agencies is something to be wondered about in a situation where almost any other landowner would have the book not only thrown at them but propelled towards them by a bazooka.
WHAT WE ASKED
We contacted NRW and asked for the following
An extended comment on the rationale underpinning NRW’s failure to protect the SSSI or to take effective enforcement action against the landowner;
Confirmation that at the point the Council became aware of the damage to the Cernydd Carmel site, it informed NRW of the extent of the destruction.
In the event that the local authority failed to notify NRW of the damage to Cernydd Carmel and the destruction of the SSSI and SAC, clarification as to whether or not it was under an obligation to do so.
If so, have NRW established whether the Council has explained its failure to inform you at the time it became aware of the damage to the site.
Further and in addition, if the Council was not under an absolute obligation to inform NRW of the destruction of Cernydd Carmel, please confirm whether or not it is usual practice for a local authority to inform NRW if and when SSSI’s and SAC’s are damaged or destroyed.
There was a major tyre fire on land nearby owned by the same landowner. Please confirm if you are aware of the incident and intend to take action regarding the storage of waste on that site.
THE ANSWER WE GOT
‘Thank you for your e-mail regarding potential damage to designated land at Carmel
‘Huw Williams, Natural Resources Wales District Team Leader for Carmarthenshire said: “We are aware of the work undertaken at the site and have carried out a full investigation of the incident. We are still working closely with the local authority to reach an outcome which will not only prevent any potential further damage to the designated features but, in time, restore these features to favourable conservation status. We are confident this work will be concluded in the near future.
“We are also aware that the local authority issued a stop notice to prevent any further potentially damaging activities”.’
WE REPEAT THE QUESTIONS
On the basis that the above did not even approach answering the questions posed, we responded to NRW as follows, pointing out that the damage was not ‘potential’ but actual.
We told NRW we had photographic evidence of Mr Thomas’s vandalism to the landscape at Cernydd Carmel. In fact, we got it from NRW’s own site report.
WE THEREFORE REPEATED OUR QUERIES:
Please confirm that at the point the Council became aware of the damage to the Cernydd Carmel site, it informed NRW of the extent of the destruction.
In the event that the local authority failed to notify NRW of the damage to Cernydd Carmel and the destruction of the SSSI and SAC, we would be grateful if you would clarify whether or not it was under an obligation to do so. If so, have you established whether the Council has explained its failure to inform you at the time it became aware of the damage to the site?
Further and in addition, if the Council was not under an absolute obligation to inform NRW of the destruction of Cernydd Carmel, please confirm whether or not it is usual practice for a local authority to inform you if and when SSSI’s and SAC’s are damaged or destroyed.
Apart from the above, there was a major tyre fire on land nearby owned by the same landowner. Please confirm if you are aware of the incident and intend to take action regarding the storage of waste on that site.
THE ANSWER
NRW responded: “Thank you for clarifying your request (We repeated it, as it was not answered. No clarification was necessary), I will seek further advice on your questions and get back to you by close of play tomorrow.
“In addition to the information given earlier NRW is aware that Mid Wales Fire and Rescue Services attended a fire at a property as stated in your previous email. We are considering our position in relation to this incident.”
‘Close of play’ came and went without further reply
As for the NRW ‘considering its position’ in respect of a fire that cost £29,000 of public money to extinguish, no doubt Mr Thomas is quaking in his boots!
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