£500 FINE OVER AXED TREES

Richard Stapp, 44, of Wannock Gardens, Wannock, pleaded guilty to the charge in a prosecution bought by Wealden District Council. He was also ordered to pay Wealden's prosecution costs of 570.

A Tree Preservation Order covering trees fronting 'Merrilees' in Dittons Road, Stone Cross, had been made in 1999 in response to concerns received by the Council in respect of a planning application for development on a near-by site.

Mr Stapp, who is owner of 'Merrilees', said that the Tree Preservation Order had been made when the house was owned by his late father. Although he was aware of the order, he thought it covered other trees on the land. He had felled the trees as they were blocking out light from the front of the house and causing dampness and structural problems.

Wealden's landscape and arboriculture team were notified by a local resident in December 2005 that trees were being felled at 'Merilees'.

They visited the site with a Council enforcement officer and subsequently brought a successful prosecution in collaboration with Wealden's legal team.

"If people believe a Tree Preservation Order may exist on land where they want to manage trees, they should seek clarification from the Council before any activity takes place," said Councillor Keith Whitehead, Cabinet member for Planning & Regeneration.

There are over 1500 Tree Preservation Orders in Wealden. Details of existing TPOs can be obtained by phoning Wealden District Council on 01892 65331 or 01323 443322. TPOs and other conservation requirements should also be highlighted in any official search of the Local Land Charges register made before a property is purchased.