Stobart fined £30,000 for ammonia leakage
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By Roger Brown
STOBART GROUP has been fined £30,000 after a problem with a refrigeration system at its facility in Nottinghamshire led to water containing ammonia discharging into a pond, killing more than 1,000 fish.
In an Environment Agency (EA) prosecution, Mansfield Magistrates’ Court was told how in August 2011, after a report of pollution, an officer visited the Sherwood Business Park in Annesley and noticed a large number of dead fish in a nearby pond. The EA analysed samples from the pond and found that the levels of ammonia in the water were much higher than normal.
Subsequent inspections led to a visit of the Stobart premises, where it was established there had been a problem with the site’s refrigeration system – resulting in a loss of compressor oil. Shortly afterwards, the EA, Severn Trent Water and contractors appointed by Stobart Group carried out an intensive clean-up operation.
Stobart Group pleaded guilty to one charge under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2010 of causing the discharge into Cuttail Brook. It was ordered to pay £4,040 costs. In mitigation, a solicitor for Stobart Group told the court that the pollution was not a deliberate act, and the refrigeration system that caused the pollution had been well maintained by an authorised contractor. The firm has put a new system in place so the incident cannot happen again.
Stobart Group, which admitted responsibility at the earliest opportunity, went on to say that it takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. The cost of restoration has been met by the company.