Hannah Roe

Leaseholders in Arlington House, a seafront tower block in Margate, have been ordered by a tribunal to pay nearly £38,000 each for essential repairs. The charges follow Building Safety Regulator findings that the 1960s building’s concrete structure and panels pose risks to residents and the public. Residents, including artist Dame Tracey Emin, blame Freshwater for years of alleged neglect and object to the scale of the bills. Freshwater says the work is necessary, while Thanet District Council says it is pursuing enforcement action but lacks statutory power to intervene in service charges.

More than a hundred birds have died in a suspected avian botulism outbreak at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve in East Sussex. Sussex Wildlife Trust says hot, dry conditions caused water levels to fall, creating warm, shallow and oxygen-depleted water where the toxin-producing bacterium thrives. Conservation experts warn that climate change may make such outbreaks increasingly common as heatwaves, droughts and extreme weather intensify. Part of the reserve has been closed, while visitors are advised to avoid the water, keep pets on leads and report sick or dead birds.

More than 100 birds are believed to have died in a suspected avian botulism outbreak at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve in East Sussex. Sussex Wildlife Trust attributes the outbreak to hot, dry conditions that lowered water levels and created warm, shallow, oxygen-depleted water where the toxin-producing bacterium thrives. Conservationist Jamie Parsons warns that climate change could make such outbreaks increasingly common, as heatwaves and droughts become more frequent. Part of the reserve has been closed, while visitors are advised to avoid the water, keep pets away and report sick or dead birds.