Companies agree to help restore environment after destroying water voles habitat
The two companies admitted there was no intention to destroy the habitat
Last updated 5th Sep 2025
Two companies have agreed to a community resolution after illegally destroying a habitat used by water voles.
Gloucestershire Police were alerted to an incident by the Environment Agency (EA) after they found that the water voles' habitat had been destroyed due to ditch clearance works.
Water voles are the UK's fastest declining mammal species, with their status being declared as endangered due to habitat destruction.
As a result, the voles' protected status comes under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - with small habitats being spotted along the Wern in Lechlade.
Eventually, a criminal investigation was launched and the contractor ordered to carry out the ditch work was later identified.
It was later revealed that both companies were responsible for the illegal activities that resulted in the voles' habitat being destroyed.
As part of the investigation, it was also revealed that neither company was intentionally trying to destroy the habitat and the clearance was not being done for financial gain.
Both companies have since agreed to a community resolution, which involves a two-year-long survey of the area together with the Coltswold Lake Trust charity, on top of donations to help the area recover from local works.
Speaking on the decision, Richard Parker from Gloucestershire Police said: " In this case, it was clear that both companies were unaware that the ditch clearance work would destroy a habitat that was being used by a protected species and there was no deliberate intention to cause harm to the water voles.
“A community resolution was therefore the most appropriate and proportionate outcome, and it has provided an opportunity for the companies involved to better understand the impact their actions have caused and to make amends for the harm they have caused.
“They are now funding a survey to support the bio-diversity in the local area and they have also agreed to ensure their employees are given training on sensitive bio-diverse locations in order to protect the natural environment and any species that may live there.”