Developer fined for felling trees

McCarthy and Stone (Developments) Ltd pleaded guilty and was fined 4,000 by Eastbourne magistrates, and ordered to pay an additional 1,500 costs to the council.

The felling took place on the site of a new retirement development the company was building at Risingholme in Heathfield.

David Kavanagh-Spall, one of Wealden's Arboriculture Officers, said: 'The trees were visible from Heathfield High Street and were a source of widespread concern among local people.

'We want to work with developers to make sure environmental protection is taken seriously but regrettably, in some cases, prosecution is the only appropriate remedy. I hope the court's action sends the right message that Wealden District Council will not allow damage to, or the removal of, trees which are the subject of statutory protection.'

Following the tree removals, officers from Wealden's Development Control and Landscape/ Arboriculture service have been working with McCarthy and Stone to protect other trees and the wider environment.

McCarthy and Stone has carried out replacement planting, and the council is confident that it can continue to work positively with the developer in the future, ensuring that protection of the environment is given appropriate consideration throughout any future developments.