Gov't warning after man prosecuted for unlicensed heath burning

Officials have issued a warning against unlicensed burning of heathland after a man was prosecuted earlier this week.

42-year-old Henry Joseph Bridson from Dalby was fined £1,200 at Douglas Courthouse this week after admitting setting fire to an area of registered heathland, without a license, near Dalby Mountain on February 10.

Since then, government is reminding residents, under law, a license must be obtained to burn or destroy registered heathlands and failing to get the right permission can carry a penalty of up to £10,000.

Registered heath covers around 12% of the Island and is characterised by low growing shrubs such as heather, blaeberry and western gorse.

Political member for the Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture, Martyn Perkins MHK, says: "Our upland heath provides valuable and internationally significant habitat for a variety of threatened and endangered species such as breeding hen harrier and curlew.

"Upland peat soils are also the Island’s largest carbon store and this important resource can be damaged by inappropriate burning. This prosecution is the first relating to this legislation and sends out an important message about the importance of protecting our Biosphere."

Officials add anyone wishing to carry out a licensed burn can apply for a licence by calling 695 701 or e-mailing forestry@gov.im.