Three Rivers District Council has successfully prosecuted a developer for thousands of pounds for damaging protected trees in Chorleywood.
The Director of Rivergate Homes (Pine Cottage) Limited, Nicky Morrison, appeared at St Albans Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 24 and was fined a total of £7,255.
Rivergate Homes (Pine Cottage) Limited was building houses on a plot in Quickley Rise Chorleywood, to lay utilities, when contractors excavated land close to the roots of a Beech tree causing damage.
The tree was protected, and no permission existed within the planning consents to permit the work.
The works took place in an area that was fenced off to protect the rooting area of a mature Beech tree.
All trees within a designated Conservation Area and specific trees identified within Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s) across the district are protected from cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting and causing damage of the trees. It may be an offence for which you could be fined or imprisoned.
Councillor Phil Williams, lead member of environment services and sustainability, said: “I trust this sends out a clear message that violating a Tree Preservation Order has serious legal consequences.
“Criminal damage to the protected trees or environment is a serious offence and penalties will be incurred.”
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