The Environment Agency is holding a public consultation in Wilton, near Salisbury, to explain how it plans to reduce flood risk to local homes and businesses.

The Environment Agency is keen for local people to share their views on its proposals and any experiences they have of flooding.

The consultation will take place on 10 March 2017 from 3pm to 7pm, at:

Mark Goldingay of the Environment Agency said:

This event is an ideal opportunity for people to learn about the Environment Agency’s latest plans for Wilton. Environment Agency officers will be on hand to explain the proposals and the steps people can take to prepare themselves against flooding. We’d like to hear the views of local residents and look forward to sharing ideas on how best to reduce flood risk in Wilton.

Wilton’s existing flood defences protect some areas in the centre of the town. There are 30 properties currently at risk of flooding from the nearby River Wylye. In large flood events, flood water can bypass the defences and flow across the recreational ground towards the Castle Lane area. Properties in Crow Lane are also at risk.

The proposed solution is to build a raised flood embankment around the edge of the recreational ground, joining the existing flood defences beside Wiley Terrace. The height of the flood bank will be approximately 0.5m above existing levels with shallow side slopes. An access ramp would be provided over the embankment. A flood wall is also being proposed to protect properties in Crow Lane.

The proposed scheme would help protect the 30 properties in the centre of Wilton currently at high risk of flooding.

The Environment Agency aims to secure funding and obtain planning permission for a suitable scheme by the autumn of 2017. It will then draw up a detailed design and carry out further public consultation before starting construction in early 2018. If all goes well, the new scheme should be completed by the summer of 2018.

5 Nottinghamshire anglers have been found guilty of fishing without a licence, resulting in penalties totalling £4,265 and criminal records.

Jake Munns and Jai Makanji of Nottingham, Keegan Lambert and Kieran Buxton of Mansfield, and Phillip Galley of Sutton-in-Ashfield were all found guilty of fishing illegally. They were caught at the Woodend Lakes in Huthwaite during a routine patrol carried out by Environment Agency bailiffs.

The Environment Agency carries out these routine patrols to ensure that the future of angling is protected for the vast majority of anglers who fish legally. With an annual rod licence valid from 1 April only costing £30, the offending anglers have been left several hundred pounds out of pocket by their actions.

The 5 offenders were tried on 2 March 2017 at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court. Fines totalled £3,300, but with £635 in costs as well as £330 in victim surcharges the total penalties amounted to £4,265.

Environment Agency enforcement officer Peter Haslock said:

This is an excellent result for the Environment Agency as well as for the hundreds of thousands of anglers who follow the rules.

These offenders could have saved themselves a substantial sum of money as well as a criminal record if they had bought the required licences. An annual rod licence that is valid from 1 April is available from just £30, so there really is no excuse.

The Environment Agency recently launched “Get a Fishing Licence” on GOV.UK to simplify the process of buying a fishing licence. This new webpage is part of a series of changes that have been made to improve the service. The improvements include:

• Free licences for junior anglers, up to the age of 17
• The fishing licence will now last for 12 months from the day it is bought rather than expire at the end of March every year. A standard year-long licence is available from £30.
• Anglers now need only one licence to use three rods, rather than the two licences that were needed previously.

All money raised through rod licence sales is used to support fish, fisheries and the angling sport. The Environment Agency’s activities to protect and improve fish and fisheries include protecting stocks from illegal fishing, pollution and disease, eradicating invasive species and improving fish habitats.

The Environment Agency urges people who suspect they may have been witness to, or have information of, illegal fishing to report illegal activity by calling its incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Notes for editors

• All five individuals in this case were prosecuted under Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975, for fishing for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed rod and line in a place where fishing is regulated.

• Jake Munns, of Worrall Avenue in Nottingham, who was proved guilty in absence, was fined £660 and ordered to pay costs of £127 as well as a victim surcharge of £66, making the total penalty £853.

• Jai Makanji, of Leivers Avenue in Nottingham, who was proved guilty in absence, was fined £660 and ordered to pay costs of £127 as well as a victim surcharge of £66, making the total penalty £853.

• Kieran Buxon, of Milton Street in Mansfield, who was proved guilty in absence, was fined £660 and ordered to pay costs of £127 as well as a victim surcharge of £66, making the total penalty £853.

• Keegan Lambert, of Stuart Avenue in Mansfield, who was proved guilty in absence, was fined £660 and ordered to pay costs of £127 as well as a victim surcharge of £66, making the total penalty £853.

• Phillip Galley, of John Street in Sutton-in-Ashfield, who was proved guilty in absence, was fined £660 and ordered to pay costs of £127 as well as a victim surcharge of £66, making the total penalty £853.