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12 May 2009
Three men have been fined a total of £1,200 for damaging an internationally protected site, by deliberately setting fire to an area of moorland within the Peak District National Park.
The incident happened on land owned by United Utilities adjacent to the Holme Moss road within the Dark Peak Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on 8 June 2008. Witnesses in a nearby lay-by saw four men lighting a series of fires in the valley.
Thanks to the swift action of the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and local game keepers, the fire was extinguished before it had the chance to take hold and spread across the moorland. Without this quick action, the fire would have quickly burnt into the peat due to the hot, dry weather conditions and may have damaged a much larger area.
The Peak District Moorlands have suffered greatly from wildfires over the years and many fires are thought to have been initiated deliberately. Approximately 1,500ha of moorland has been seriously damaged by wildfire to date, requiring an estimated £250,000 in fire-fighting costs and £1,000,000 in restoration costs.
The SSSI is of national and international importance for its blanket bog, heather moorland and breeding bird populations including merlin, golden plover and short-eared owl.
Dr Tim Hill, Natural England’s Director responsible for SSSIs, said: “As highlighted by this case, deliberate wildfire is a significant problem in this area that is enjoyed by so many. We are always disappointed by having to bring prosecutions as it means that some of England’s most important wildlife has already been lost or damaged. We will continue to work with those in the Peak District to promote the importance of this moorland for wildlife.”
Richard May of the Moorland Association welcomed the Court’s decision: “We hope that this will help deter damage to moorlands. As well as their environmental value moors are important for people’s livelihoods. We are pleased that it is thanks to the presence of gamekeepers on the moors that this case could be brought to a successful conclusion.”
Sean Prendergast, Peak District National Park Authority and representative of the Peak District Fire Operations Group (FOG) said: “We’re pleased with this result and it sends a clear message to others, that deliberate arson attacks on the Peak District moorlands will not be tolerated. We are grateful to the local gamekeeper for reporting the incident and to the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue service and others who helped put the fire out.”
Mohammed Saeed Akram, Mohammed Iqbal Shaikh and Mohammed Yusuf Shaikh, all in their early 20s and from Batley in West Yorkshire; pleaded guilty at Huddersfield Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 11 May, to offences relating to deliberate damage to flora within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Each of the three men were fined £400, consisting of an £85 fine, £300 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Natural England can take appropriate enforcement action, including prosecution, when the law is broken and when the habitats and features of SSSIs are damaged, disturbed or destroyed.
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Notes to editors
1. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are notified and afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as substituted by Schedule 9 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and amendments made by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Amongst other legal obligations the legislation places requirements on owners and occupiers of land within SSSIs, public bodies and other persons. Proceedings for this case were brought under section 28P(6A) of the 1981 Act.
2. Brown Jacobson, 44 Castle Gate, Nottingham, NG1 7BJ acted on Natural England’s behalf in this case.
3. The Peak District Fire Operations Group (FOG) was formed in 1996 to address the issues around fighting fires in the moorland areas of the Peak District National Park. It is a non-statutory organisation and its primary aims is “to protect from wildfire, the unique moorland heritage of the Peak District National Park”. The Peak District FOG encompasses six Fire Services, other organisations including the Peak District National Park Authority, Natural England and the National Trust and those actively involved in fire-fighting including gamekeepers, National Park rangers and National Trust wardens.
4. The Moorland Association aims to encourage greater public understanding about heather moorland, advises and represents moor owners & managers. Moorland Association members comprise a wide range of moorland managers and owners, including farmers, utility and mineral companies, and national charities.
5. For more information contact Natural England Communications on 0115 900 5311or e-mail communications.eastmids@naturalengland.org.uk
Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.
