TC, I thoroughly agree with you, I hate people profiting through ruining our national and natural heritage.
Corrupt councillors do take back-handers from unscrupulous builders and another part of Britain dies.
I have a bit of a soft spot for Britain's wildlife, which includes the Heron as well as the Great Crested Newt.
In my case when I had a goldfish pond, a pair of Herons were local, they took a couple of fish, so I made a wooden frame with chicken mesh wire to cover the pond which I could take on and off very easily.
After a while the Herons moved on, which they do once they realise there's no more food to be had locally.