Residents Face Challenges Due to River Lugg Pollution
Residents and workers in Herefordshire report that ongoing pollution in the River Lugg is causing considerable harm to the local economy.
Since 2019, building restrictions have been implemented in the area due to rising pollution levels in the protected river.
Jane and Tony Coyle, who are constructing their own home, have been compelled to live in a caravan and subsequently a shed on their property while awaiting planning permission.
"This delay has cost us time, money and health," said Jane Coyle.
In 2018, the Coyles purchased a plot in the village of Edwyn Ralph with planning permission for a five-bedroom bungalow.
They reapplied to build a three-bedroom house featuring sustainable wood, air source heating, and solar panels, but the building restrictions caused repeated delays in their application.
Although permission was granted in 2025, the delays resulted in tens of thousands of pounds in additional expenses, including legal fees, phosphate credits, and building materials.
"Our daughters have to rent accommodation when they come to visit us and Tony has had serious health issues which are really concerning," Jane Coyle stated.
"We lived near the Wye for 20 years, and saw it deteriorate, but we didn't imagine that river pollution would affect us so much."
"I studied agriculture, and we've always lived in the countryside, waterways are really important to us."
The couple are among 4,500 individuals who have supported a legal case alleging that industrial-scale chicken farming and sewage spills are polluting the rivers Wye, Lugg, and Usk.
The case against Avara, Freemans of Newent, and Welsh Water is set to begin at the High Court in London tomorrow. All three companies strongly deny the allegations.
Leominster Economy Suffers from Pollution and Building Restrictions
Herefordshire Council introduced building restrictions in 2019 to protect the River Lugg from further pollution.
This policy, known as the Lugg Moratorium, allows developers to purchase credits to offset phosphate and nitrate emissions caused by construction, with funds allocated to wetland restoration.
Leominster Town Council estimates that these restrictions have delayed approximately 2,000 new homes and renovations, significantly impacting the local economy.
The town council supports the moratorium but acknowledges that Leominster has been "significantly damaged" by water pollution and the associated restrictions.
"Young families are concerned about the lack of housing, older people are concerned about the loss of wildlife," said the town's mayor Tessa Smith-Winnard.
"People can't find a house, so they have to continue to live in unsuitable housing or remain with family members when they really need their independence."
"More people living in the town would help the shops, pubs and restaurants."
"Tourism is a big boost to our local economy but who would want to canoe or swim in a dirty river?"
"When you live this close to beautiful countryside, you're aware when it's starting to fail and a lot of people are very concerned about the state of the Lugg.
"Something has to be done, these are natural resources, if they're not looked after they won't come back."
Leominster Town Council members have voted to support the legal case alleging that pollution in the Lugg, Wye, and Usk rivers is caused by chicken manure spread on land as fertilizer and human sewage being discharged into the waterways.
The poultry producers Avara Foods Limited and its subsidiary, Freemans of Newent, employ thousands of people in Herefordshire and the surrounding borders.
Avara has stated that the legal claim is based on a misunderstanding and is not supported by scientific data, expressing confidence that there is no case to answer.
Welsh Water described the case as misguided and highlighted that it has invested more than 36 million over the past five years to improve water quality in the Wye, Lugg, and Usk rivers.
The not-for-profit company added that any financial penalties would directly reduce the funding available for essential services.
Painter and decorator Matthew Newman commented on the impact of delays on Leominster's appearance and housing market.
"Leominster is a beautiful place with wonderful old buildings which need doing up but they're just rotting because planning is taking so long."
"There are so many people desperate for homes, my son has just bought an old house which he'll have to do up bit by bit as he can afford it."
"This town could be brilliant, but at the moment there's nobody out in the evening. It's very frustrating for everybody."
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