A KELTY drainage contractor has been fined £3750 after pleading guilty to unauthorised engineering works in Perthshire.

John Meiklem Drainage Contractors pleaded guilty to unauthorised engineering works in the Hatton Burn in Perthshire between 14th-19th November 2012 which led to the damage of protected brown trout breeding grounds and habitats.

Farmer Charles Wellwood was fined £3400 after instructing John Meiklem Drainage Contractors Limited to carry out a programme of drainage work aimed at alleviating the risk of flooding to agricultural land on Hattonburn Farm, in Milnathort.

Excavation of the burn was carried out without prior consultation or authorisation from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), who regulate large-scale activities to ensure the impact on a watercourse is minimised.

Altering a watercourse can dramatically change the way in which sediment is naturally deposited, both upstream and downstream, which in turn can have a significant impact on the wider environment and habitats if not carried out correctly.

SEPA officers were alerted to the incident by the concerns of a local resident, who believed that the burn might be seriously damaged by the engineering work.

Following investigation, SEPA found nearly 128 metres of the Hatton Burn’s river bed had been removed, along with sections of the river bank and natural vegetation which is crucial to the ecology of the watercourse.

On closer inspection, it was also discovered that protected habitats and breeding grounds for local brown trout and invertebrate species had (at the time of the offence) been damaged, in addition to recently laid brown trout eggs.

The Hatton Burn is an important spawning tributary for brown trout within Loch Leven, itself a protected area and designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Carla Ward, reporting officer from SEPA, said, “Lowering the bed of a watercourse can have a significant impact on the environment and in many cases will only result in a short term solution for flood risk.

"Had SEPA been approached for authorisation prior to work commencing, much of the damage caused to the Hatton Burn could have been avoided, including the impact on spawning fish.

“While not all drainage works require approval by SEPA, we would strongly encourage anyone considering this scale of activity to seek advice on best practice guidelines, to help avoid incidents such as this in the future.”