AN INJUNCTION is in place preventing six named men, a paving firm and anyone else from damaging an environmentally sensitive site on the Gwent Levels.
As a result large concrete blocks have been placed at one entrance with a wall of giant grey concrete blocks placed across another.
The order is intended to prevent dumping of waste materials which is threatening the fragile eco-system dependent on the ancient reens, or man made ditches, that run across the levels that host a wide range of rare aquatic plants and insects, as well as being an important site for the shrill carder bee.
The injunction has been obtained by environmental regulator Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Monmouthshire County Council and is intended to prevent further unauthorised activity and environmental damage on Whitewall Common, Magor.
The common is part of the highly sensitive Magor and Undy Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI, which is the highest form of designation for nature sites.
Drone photographs showing work that has taken place at the site, including to the reen embankments, has been released by NRW.
Copies of the order, which is in place for at least two years, are displayed at the site.
The full injunction, granted on February 26 at the Cardiff District Registry of the High Court, applies to six named individuals and one company, as well as to “persons unknown”.
The land, next to the South Wales mainline train track, has now been blocked off and NRW has warned as the order also applies to “persons unknown” anyone entering the site to carry out the activities prevented would be at risk of being found in contempt of court.
It warned anyone entering the site “to carry out restricted activities may be held in contempt of court, risking fines, seizure of assets, or imprisonment.”
The six individuals named in the order are Ronald Connors, Jeremiah Connors, Luke Williams, Anthony Strange, Morgan Harvey and Andrew Barton and the company Tobermore Paving & Development Ltd.
It also applies to “persons unknown” and the activities listed as being prevented are:
- Depositing waste or materials
- Carrying out construction or groundworks
- Damaging or altering reens or watercourses, including Whitewater Winter Sewer Reen and Mill Reen
- Interfering with flood-risk management infrastructure
- Moving or removing concrete blocks placed to secure the site
Ioan Williams, operations manager for NRW, said: “The Magor and Undy SSSI is internationally recognised for its rare wildlife and ancient reen systems, and we will not allow its destruction to continue.
“Securing this order reflects months of hard work by our teams and our partners at Monmouthshire County Council. It’s a vital step in protecting one of Wales’ most sensitive and historically important landscapes.
“Anyone considering breaching this injunction, whether named in the order or not, should be in no doubt about the consequences and this injunction should be a clear deterrent.
“If you enter this site to dump waste, carry out works, damage reens or interfere with the concrete blocks, you will face legal action. We will continue to use every legal tool available to protect this SSSI and hold those responsible to account.”
Deputy leader of Monmouthshire council, Paul Griffiths, said: “This injunction sends a clear message that unlawful activity causing environmental harm will not be tolerated in Monmouthshire.
“We have worked closely with Natural Resources Wales to secure this order and to take immediate action on the ground to prevent further damage. The council will continue to use all available legal powers, alongside our partners, to safeguard this sensitive site and protect it for future generations.”
