Petition plea for farmer charged over River Lugg works
Date of alert:
Saturday, 19 March 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
West Mercia Police
An online petition has been launched urging support for a Herefordshire farmer who carried out river works along the protected River Lugg.
John Price, a potato, cereal and beef farmer from Day House Farm, Kingsland, is facing 10 charges from government agencies related to causing “unconsented operations and causing damage to a site of special scientific interest [SSSI]”.
The Environment Agency and Natural England have announced joint legal action against Mr Price, claiming the banks of the Lugg were “damaged in December 2020 causing suspected significant and long-term ecological harm”.
Mr Price has been summoned to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on 18 May for a plea and case hearing. He is expected to deny all the charges.
Ahead of the hearing, a petition – entitled “Bridge over troubled water” – has been launched on change.org by Robert Harris, a fellow farmer from Orleton, near Leominster.
