Authorities ‘working with landowner’ over cleared riverbank

Work to clear the bank along a stretch of the river Teme in Herefordshire was done without permission, Natural England has confirmed.

The government conservation agency says the as-yet unnamed landowner responsible acknowledges this, and is working to make good the damage to trees and vegetation.

A Natural England spokesperson said: “Natural England is aware of the unauthorised works on the river Teme and is working with the landowner to agree and implement a full restoration plan to the area that has been damaged.

“The landowner has acknowledged the work was unconsented and says he will do what restoration is required, which is already under way.”

Last week campaigning group Fish Legal revealed the damage had taken place, saying it had been told by anglers that trees and bankside vegetation had been “removed by heavy machinery over hundreds of metres of the river Teme, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)” within Herefordshire.