Pub tycoon in conservation row

Pub tycoon Michael Cannon is involved in a row with the government’s conservation agency over claims that a company his company has carried out operations that are likely to damage the countryside. Natural England has issued criminal charges against the Wemmergill Estate, a 17,000-acre grouse moor in County Durham, which Cannon bought from the Earl of Strathmore for £5.35m last year. Wemmergill forms part of the Lune Forest site of special scientific interest and is internationally important as a special area of conservation for vegetation and a special protection area for bird life. It also forms part of the North Pennine area of outstanding natural beauty. At the time of the purchase, Cannon, who sold his Eldridge Pope pub chain to Marston’s for £155m earlier this year, said: “Our aims for the future include the restoration of approximately 3,000 acres of important habitats that have become degraded over the years and we are working closely with all relevant parties to form a new way forward for Wemmergill.” However, Natural England alleges that, in 2005, the estate had built a 400-yard track through the site without seeking its permission. Cannon denies the charges and says that the estate was merely restoring an existing track to provide access to improve the grouse moor. A spokesman for Natural England confirmed that the estate faces four charges of “causing or permitting to be carried out an operation likely to damage a site of specific scientific interest”. The case will be heard on 28 January at Durham Crown Court, where, if found guilty, the estate could face an unlimited fine or be ordered to restore the land to its previous condition.