Sedgemoor District Council has prosecuted a company in Brean for ‘wilfully damaging’ a protected tree upon which there was a Tree Preservation Order.
Following a tip off from neighbours, the authority recently prosecuted a company in Brean for wilfully damaging a protected tree, upon which there was a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).
“The tree has become unstable due to the damage caused to its roots; therefore the only course of action will be to cut the tree down,” says council spokeswoman Claire Faun.
“D T Moore (Sales) Ltd of Quantocks, South Road, Brean were fined £1,400, with an additional £685 in costs and a £140 victim surcharge. “
“The company also pledged to plant a replacement tree in the forthcoming planting season, which runs from November to March.”
“The Tree Preservation Order was made on three trees in August 2008 when a mini-golf course was constructed at the property.”
“In July 2018, it was discovered that the golf course had been removed and excavations were being carried out around the base of the pine trees.”
“The area around the tree had been hard-surfaced with concrete and a fast food van had been placed on a hard standing next to the road.”
