Why was Bill Buckler fined £20,000?

Bill Buckler was fined £20,000 for illegally felling 28 clifftop trees and constructing an unauthorized pool house on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Poole, Dorset.

What was the outcome of Bill Buckler's appeal?

Bill Buckler's appeal to the High Court against the fine was unanimously dismissed, with judges describing it as 'notably free of merit.'

What impact did the illegal construction have on the SSSI?

The unauthorized construction permanently damaged geological features on the protected land, and attempting to undo the works could cause cliff instability and risk beach users.

Home / Environment / Millionaire Fined £20k for Illegal Pool on Protected Cliff

Millionaire Fined £20k for Illegal Pool on Protected Cliff

26 Jan

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Summary

Developer felled 28 trees for unauthorized pool house.
Illegal construction damaged protected SSSI geological features.
High Court dismissed appeal; called it 'free of merit'.

Millionaire Fined £20k for Illegal Pool on Protected Cliff

A millionaire property developer, Bill Buckler, has been ordered to pay a £20,000 fine for illegally felling 28 clifftop trees and constructing an unauthorized garden room and infinity pool. The development occurred on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Poole, Dorset, despite initial claims of conservation purposes. Natural England investigated reports of unauthorized excavation in early 2022 and confirmed the building work was unauthorized. The High Court has now unanimously dismissed Buckler's appeal against the fine, describing it as 'notably free of merit.'

Nick Squirrel from Natural England stated that the geological features on the protected land have been permanently damaged and cannot be restored without risking cliff instability. Attempting to remove the unauthorized structures would pose a significant risk to beach users below. The illegal works, which continued until March 2023, have irrevocably altered a part of the SSSI notified for its important coastal habitat and geological features. The court's decision underscores the severity of the environmental damage caused by the unauthorized construction.