09/11/2005
- The Environment Agency yesterday (Tuesday 8 November
2005) successfully prosecuted Barratt Homes for discharging
silty water into a surface water drain, causing it to
enter the Monks Brook stream in Eastleigh. The developer
appeared before Southampton Magistrates Court. It was
fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £8,000 costs.
During a two day trial, the court
heard that on 7 July 2004 an Environment Agency Officer
attended the Barratt Homes development at the former Pirelli
site, Eastleigh where silty water was being pumped from
excavation works into the surface water drainage system.
Environment Officers dye-traced the silty water and proved
that there was a link between the site and the Monks Brook,
which had turned a cloudy brown colour.
Barratt Homes had installed a treatment
system on site on the 6 July 2004, following a previous
visit from the Environment Agency. However, the Environment
Officer had expressed concern about its effectiveness
before its operation. Barratt Homes also placed reliance
on a secondary underground treatment system installed
at the Pirelli site in the 1920’s. Its design and effectiveness
at retaining silt had not been established.
In addition to the visual impact,
silt is a threat to animals and plants, and affects the
complete river ecosystem and food chain. Silt may also
increase abrasion and clog the surfaces of gills of fish,
making it difficult for them to breathe.
In its defence, the barrister representing
Barratt Homes said that the company takes its environmental
responsibilities very seriously, as indicated by its lack
of previous convictions. It’s approach to address environmental
issues had proved effective since the very substantial
building works commenced at the Eastleigh site in 2001,
and in response to the pollution site managers and contractors
addressed the issue as a matter of urgency.
Environment Officer, Nigel Thomas,
said after the hearing: “Many people don’t realise that
silt is a highly polluting substance when it enters a
watercourse. Barratt Homes is a large national company
and should ensure that its construction and demolition
operations do not pose a risk to the environment. If Barratt
Homes had made sure that it had put appropriate measures
in place and if guidance had been followed, this pollution
would have been avoided.” |