Tree Surgeon’s Blunder Costs Company £40k for Wrecking Protected Dormouse Habitat
Heavy Machinery Tears Through Rare Dormouse Habitat
Police sprang into action after Fareham Borough Council reported a major wildlife crime on 14 March 2019. A large machine had ripped through land south of Rookery Avenue in Swanwick, leaving deep track marks and uprooted hedgerows piled across the site.
Despite knowing protected species lived there, Knightsgate (UK) Ltd hired a tree surgeon to clear the area. An ecology report had flagged up dormouse habitats and stress on planning conditions requiring dormouse mitigation – all ignored.
Company Caught and Fined Big for Ignoring Wildlife Laws
Hampshire Constabulary’s Country Watch Team launched a probe, teaming up with local ecologists, the planning authority, and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species. The result? Knightsgate got slapped with charges for destroying a breeding site of European protected wildlife.
The company pleaded guilty back in October 2020 at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court. The judge ruled their actions—or reckless lack of clear instructions to the contractor—led to the damage.
Today at Portsmouth Crown Court, Knightsgate was hit with a hefty £40,000 fine plus a confiscation order for a staggering £69,392.80. That’s the cash they should have spent safeguarding the dormice as per the ecology report.
Conservation Experts Slam Destruction of Dormouse Habitat
“Dormice are rare and protected, with their UK numbers plummeting over the last century,” said PC Lynn Owen, from the Country Watch Team.
“Knightsgate’s reckless actions have dealt a devastating blow. Let this be a warning to anyone putting vulnerable wildlife at risk—we will act robustly.”
Ian White, Dormouse Officer for People’s Trust for Endangered Species added: “Hazel dormice are declining and protected. Developers often ignore them chasing profit, but once dormice vanish, they are lost forever. It’s up to us all to protect them.”
Contractor Also Penalised For Wildlife Crime
The tree surgeon behind the clearance, 29-year-old James Rolph from Upham, was fined £1,000 back in October 2020. He also had to pay a £100 surcharge and £85 costs after admitting to destroying protected wildlife habitat.
The Country Watch team specialise in rural, wildlife, marine and heritage crime. They work with local partners and communities to tackle farm crime, poaching, livestock issues, and environmental offences.
