BUILDING firm owner Richard Dewey has had his fine slashed for damaging water vole habitat along a stream in Pewsey.

The Pewsey-based family business of F Dewey Ltd, builders and undertakers, was fined £3,000 by magistrates last September when it was found guilty of damaging the water vole habitat in Southcott Road, Pewsey.

A digger was used to dredge a watercourse called the Hurley Stream next to where Deweys were building nine new homes.

A similar charge against Mr Dewey himself of intentionally or recklessly damaging water vole habitat protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act was withdrawn.

The company appealed against the conviction and the appeal was heard on Friday last week at Salisbury Crown Court.

The original fine of £3,000 was reduced to £500 and an order to pay costs of £360 was revoked by the judge.

Mr Dewey told the Gazette: "I feel I have been vindicated by this decision."

He said it had been explained at the magistrates hearing that because of confusion Mr Dewey was not shown an ecological report stating there were water voles .

After the original hearing Mr Dewey said his company was concerned with the protection of the environment and wildlife and he would not have wilfully destroyed water vole habitat.