A man has been accused of causing extensive damage to a neighbour's land and local wildlife after using a digger to carve a 90-metre trench into a riverbank near Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Sam Bancroft dug the trench into Andrea Marland's land beside the River Tonge, claiming it was necessary to prevent erosion on his own property. However, he proceeded despite being warned twice by the Environment Agency that he lacked the required flood risk activity permits, which he admitted he could not afford.
Ms Marland, who has lived at her home for 30 years, said Bancroft cut through her land to gain better access for his digger. 'He's not asked for permission or given a reason why he's doing it,' she said. 'It seems he does what he wants and gets away with it.' She added that the ordeal has left her 'in tears, shaking and angry'.
Local residents have also expressed concern that the digging may have harmed the habitat of kingfishers in the area. Despite the outcry, Bancroft maintains that no one has been affected.
The Environment Agency has stated it will investigate the unauthorised work. The incident echoes other neighbour disputes, including a 2019 case where a builder used a digger to damage £2.5 million worth of retirement homes in Hertfordshire over a pay dispute.
