Chippenham's JD Spencer Farm Partnership fined £18,744 for slurry pollution incidents

KEY INFORMATION:

• JD Spencer Farm Partnership fined £18,744 for two pollution incidents.
• The Bristol Avon river was impacted by slurry runoff.
• Offenses included illegal water discharge and failing to plan slurry spreading.
• Environment Agency used drones to gather evidence of the runoff.
• Incidents occurred in November 2023 and March 2024.

A farming partnership based in Chippenham has been ordered to pay a total of £18,744 in fines and costs.

The penalties follow two separate slurry pollution incidents that impacted the Bristol Avon river. JD Spencer Farm Partnership, located at Manor Farm in Langley Burrell, pleaded guilty to four offences at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 6 March 2026.

The Environment Agency brought the prosecution after identifying significant ammonia levels and low dissolved oxygen in local watercourses following the spills.

Investigation into slurry discharge

The first pollution event was recorded in November 2023. Slurry entered a tributary of the Bristol Avon, leading to a marked decline in water quality. During the investigation, water samples confirmed the presence of poisonous matter. Co-owner Winston Spencer admitted that storage facilities for slurry and parlour washings were at capacity during this period.

In March 2024, a second incident occurred at Langley Burrell. Members of the public reported the pollution, which allowed Environment Agency officers to track the source. Using drone technology, investigators photographed areas where slurry had been deposited across three fields. The partnership confirmed they lacked land drainage plans for the holding.

Court ruling and penalties

The court imposed a fine of £7,000, alongside a victim surcharge of £2,800. Legal and investigative costs of £8,944 were also awarded to the Environment Agency. The charges specifically covered unpermitted water discharge activities and the failure to plan the application of organic matter to land.

The partnership was found to have violated the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. They also breached the Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018.

Guidance for agricultural management

The Environment Agency has emphasised that such incidents are avoidable through proper storage and planning. Farmers are encouraged to contact the agency if they have concerns regarding slurry storage capacity. Early reporting of incidents can also mitigate the total environmental impact on local rivers.

David Womack, senior environment officer, said: "This incident was avoidable and should never have happened. Farmers have a responsibility to ensure their organic manures are properly stored and spread."

He added: "If an incident does occur, we would urge those responsible to report it as soon as possible to the Environment Agency. This can help reduce any environmental impact."

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official data from Council / Local Authority. Document: **Two pollutions cost Chippenham farm more than £18,000 Source Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-pollutions-cost-chippenham-farm-more-than-18000

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