Somerset caravan park boss John Holland is facing a hefty £116,263 bill after illegally turning a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) into a commercial caravan park.
Caravan Chaos on Protected Land
John Holland, 59, from Moorlinch, was slammed by Taunton Crown Court for damaging a vital habitat at Long Load, part of the Wet Moor SSSI. The site is internationally important as a breeding ground for rare wading birds and waterfowl.
Over four years, Natural England uncovered how Holland packed over 90 caravans and 40 vehicles onto 1.2 hectares of precious grassland. He laid 300 metres of tarmac roads and dumped household and commercial waste — all without permission.
Between 2011 and 2018, Holland tried five times (and failed every time) to get planning consent for a permanent caravan park. The Planning Inspectorate upheld all refusals.
Wildlife Victims: Birds in Peril
This SSSI is no ordinary patch of land. It’s part of the Somerset Levels and Moors, a protected landscape famed for rare wildlife. The site supports:
- Threatened wading birds like curlew and black-tailed godwit
- Internationally important red-listed species including Bewick’s swan, lapwing, and pochard
- More than 3% of the global Eurasian teal population
Natural England revealed Holland’s illegal work caused habitat loss, scaring off birds and destroying breeding grounds. He was charged with two offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in March 2023.
Criminal Lifestyle Exposed
Holland didn’t just break environmental laws. In September 2023, he was convicted for threatening and abusing Natural England officers probing his activities.
Claiming bankruptcy, Holland still couldn’t hide over £1 million in unexplained assets. Investigators linked this fortune to his rogue caravan park operation, branding his behaviour a “criminal lifestyle.”
The court ordered Holland to pay £116,263 to Natural England within three months. He must also restore the site to natural grassland by January 2026, removing all caravans and infrastructure. Failure to comply could lead to unlimited fines plus £100 for every day of delay.
“You had numerous opportunities to rectify the damage but carried on regardless,” warned His Honour Judge Richard Shepherd.This was a deliberate and persistent offence showing flagrant disregard for the law.
Matt Heard, Natural England’s National Delivery Director, slammed Holland’s actions:“His blatant contempt for this vital conservation site and its endangered species is shocking. He chose big illegal profits over protecting one of England’s most precious wildlife habitats.”
What Are SSSIs?
Sites of Special Scientific Interest are England’s top natural spots for wildlife, plants, and geology. Protected by law since 1981, damaging activities are strictly controlled. Natural England enforces these rules, taking criminal action when necessary.
The Court Charges
- Between March 2018 and April 2022, Holland unlawfully carried out construction, road-building, storage, and erection of structures within the SSSI without consent.
- He recklessly disturbed protected fauna, fully aware of the site’s status.
The tough ruling sends a clear message: trash England’s protected lands, and you’ll pay – big time.
