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.”