West Lindsey District Council successful prosecuted two men for the felling of six trees that were covered by Tree Preservation Orders (TPO).
The trees were felled at a property on Main Drive in Sudbrooke, in June last year.
The Council acted against Mr Bruce Haughton and Glen Barrett of Barrett Treecare, who both entered guilty pleas at Boston Magistrates Court on Monday, 11, March.
The Council were made aware that the offences had occurred and attended the site to investigate. Officers recognised that several trees had been felled or crowned that were covered by TPOs, without seeking consent from the Council.
TPOs form part of the land searches that property owners undertake when purchasing any property and these trees formed part of a larger woodland area within Sudbrooke, within which all the trees are protected.
Haughton, who was deemed to have been reckless in his actions, was fined £3,844 with a victim surcharge of £1,538 and costs of £994.70, making a total payable of £6,376.70.
Barrett, who was deemed to have been neglectful, was fined £1,600 with a victim surcharge of £640 and costs of £994.70 making a total payable of £3,234.70.
Chair of the Council’s Planning Committee at West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Matt Boles said “We are pleased with the outcome of this case. I commend the members of the public who made the Council aware of this issue and in turn our officers for following it through to this successful outcome.
“Tree Preservation Orders are there for a reason and this outcome should serve as a warning to any landowner or businesses wishing to fell trees, to think twice, and check with the Council before doing so.”
The Council will be seeking to confirm the replanting of the trees to ensure that what was originally removed will be present again in the future.
Andy Gray, Housing and Environmental Enforcement Manager at the Council added “We hope that this demonstrates to the public that the Council takes wilful damage to our protected environment extremely seriously.
“Any person living on or owning land that contains trees needs to ensure that they have taken steps to understand whether they are protected or not and then where they are aware they are protected, should not commence any works on them until they have obtained the necessary consent. If anybody is in any doubt, they should contact the Council in advance.”
For more information on Tree Protection Orders you can visit the Council’s website: https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/planning-building-control/planning/conservation-environment/trees-hedges/trees-planning-permission
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