Tree surgeon fined almost £4,000 for breaking planning laws

Archived press release

Date Published: 27/07/09

A tree surgeon has been successfully prosecuted by Aylesbury Vale District Council for breaching planning regulations.

Nicholas Channer, of Copperkins Lane, Amersham, was fined £2,800 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000 by Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court on 21 July after he pleaded guilty to felling seven trees in a conservation area without giving notice.

Mr Channer was prosecuted after the council received information in August 2007 that unauthorised work was being carried out to trees at Friars Court, which is within the Aylesbury conservation area.

Before commencing work to trees within a conservation area, prior notification must be given to the district council as the local planning authority. In this case no such notification had been made to the council.

The notification gives the council the opportunity to serve a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) to protect the trees if it objects to the works proposed and provides an opportunity for local residents to comment. TPOs are issued if the council feels trees have an important value, and it is an offence to fell or carry out work to such a tree without formal consent from the council.

AVDC’s planning enforcement team carried out an investigation into the offence, which resulted in a summons being served on Mr Channer, who had carried out the work.

Replacement trees have since been planted and the council has served a TPO to protect those trees and the remaining trees on the site.

Councillor Sue Polhill, Cabinet Member for Planned Development at AVDC, said: “We take a tough stance against anyone carrying out tree works without first checking whether permission is required. Trees in a conservation area are protected by the conservation area status so, as this case proves, we are determined to deal firmly with those who break the rules.”

Guidance on the rules regarding tree work is available on the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/environment or by phoning 01296 585858.