Middleton man in court for felling tree

Steve Wadey pleaded guilty at Worthing Magistrates Court, last Monday, to ordering the chopping down of the Corsican pine which was subject to a tree preservation order.

He was also given a 12-month conditional discharge.

The incident came to light in September, 2007 when a member of the public reported the works to Arun District Council's compliance team.

The council discovered Mr Wadey had been employed by a property owner, through her gardener, to cut down the large tree at the front of her home in Beehive Lane in Ferring.

Both the home-owner and gardener attended an earlier hearing at the court for acting unlawfully. They pleaded guilty and were given complete discharge.

Cllr Ricky Bower, Arun's councillor in charge of planning services, said: "Hopefully, others will learn from this case and follow the proper procedures in future.

"Preservation orders are placed on trees for good reasons and it is the responsibility of any person who wishes to carry out tree work to check with the council first."

Unauthorised works to a protected tree carries a fine of up to 20,000. The council will ensure an appropriate tree is replanted.

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