Tree surgeon Caleb Eastwood pleaded guilty at Redhill Magistrates Court to tree works at 1 Castle Cottages, Bletchingley, which is in a conservation area. Mr Eastwood, also of Bletchingley, was fined £900 and ordered to pay Tandridge District Council’s costs of £210 and £90 to the victim support fund. In June 2014, the Council’s Tree Team was contacted about ongoing tree works at 1 Castle Cottages, Bletchingley. Checks revealed no notice had been given to cut down the trees. The Council’s Senior Tree Officer visited the site and saw tree topping had taken place and was still in progress. He spoke to the home owner and explained the property was in a conservation area, that no notification of works had been received and an offence may have been committed. He cautioned the owner, who said he did not know his property was in a conservation area. The Tree Officer spoke to and cautioned Caleb Eastwood, who owned the tree surgery company. He also said he was unaware the trees were in a conservation area. In examining the extent of the works the Tree Team came to the conclusion all the trees would die as a result. According to the Council it It is standard practice for tree surgery companies to check before carrying out tree works. Mr Eastwood failed to do this and destroyed trees which contributed to the character of the Bletchingley Conservation Area. Councillor Gill Black, Chairman of the Planning Committee, said: “We hope this case deters other residents and tree companies from carrying out any tree works without checking with us first. It is very easy to check and could prevent a prosecution like this.”
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 15:30:44 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015