'We're living in a shed because of river pollution'

'We're living in a shed because of river pollution'26 April 2026ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleNicola GoodwinBBC Midlands Investigations teamBBCJane says they only expected to be living in this shed for a few monthsPeople living and working in Herefordshire say ongoing pollution in the river Lugg is causing "significant damage" to the local economy.Since 2019, there have been restrictions on building in the area because of increasing pollution levels in the protected river.Jane and Tony Coyle are building their own home, but they have had to live in a caravan, and now a shed, on the site while they wait for planning permission."This delay has cost us time, money and health," said Jane Coyle. In 2018, the Coyles bought a plot with planning permission for a five-bed bungalow in the village of Edwyn Ralph.They reapplied to build a three-bed home using sustainable wood, air source heating and solar panels, but the restrictions on building kept delaying their case.They were granted permission in 2025, but the delay has cost them tens of thousands of pounds extra in 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," said Jane Coyle."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 people who have added their names to a legal case which claims industrial scale chicken farming and sewage spills are causing pollution in the rivers Wye, Lugg and Usk.The case against Avara, Freemans of Newent, and Welsh Water starts at the High Court in London on Monday – all three firms vigorously deny the claims.'Significantly damaged'The restrictions on building we...