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Legal threat over felling of 'hundreds' of trees
7:41pm Thursday 3rd April 2008
By Tom Moseley »
A LANDOWNER faces legal action after "hundreds" of trees were chopped down without permission during a renovation project.
Last month councillors voted to approve plans for four luxury houses and a swimming pool at Richardson House in Blackburn, which is to be demolished.
The building, in Billinge End Road, is more than 100 years old and was once used as the home of the Bishop of Blackburn.
As part of the planning permission, strict conditions were attached to the trees on the site, near Billinge Woods and Witton Park, some of which were subject to special preservation orders.
But councillors who have since visited the site told a meeting of Blackburn with Darwen's planning committee that they were stunned to see the trees had been removed.
Planning committee chairman Jacqueline Slater said: "We didn't realise it was going to be like this.
"It's absolutely heartbreaking. It just looks like a logging camp now - some of those trees were 160 years old."
Labour's Andy Kay said: "There was a significant number of trees on that site. When we drove up there, everyone was absolutely gobsmacked at the condition of the land. It's in an appalling state now. It looks like hundreds of trees have gone. It's an absolute disgrace."
And Lib Dem Paul Browne vowed to crack down on the culprits.
He said: "It's pure vandalism. We have to use the full weight of the council to make sure this never happens again in this borough."
Yew and holly trees that were protected by tree preservation orders are among those that have been chopped down.
And dozens of others, including willow, ash and oak trees are believed to have been removed without a Forestry Commission licence and official planning permission, the council has said.
The council's development control manager, Peter Prendergast, told councillors that chopping the trees down was "totally indefensible".
He said: "The wholescale destruction that has taken place bears no resemblance to what was approved."
The council is taking legal advice on the matter, he added, and the planning consent could still be revoked.
The owner of the house, Moshin Valibhan, was unavailable to comment.
Your Say YourTelegraph
Allen Evans, Blackburn says...
10:40am Mon 7 Apr 08
This man's company has destroyed trees which are protected and are hundreds of years old without so much as a "by your leave".
The "Planning" committee would, of course, give certain people permission to build a "bridge to the moon" even though any sensible person would know it was an impossible task.
The fact is that the council will simply do nothing about this man and the way he has raped the scenery on Billinge End Road.
How about fining him £20,000 per tree which he has illegally uprooted?
Of course the whole of Blackburn knows that won't happen! I wonder why not?
There is no point in councillors like Paul Browne jumping up and down at this late stage and making demands. This should have been done earlier - I have seen Mr Browne perform at planning meetings and , quite frankly, he just turns the process into a three ring circus.
It's the Salim Mullas of the world who have the whip hand in Blackburn and they just ride roughshod and unchallenged over the larger part of this community allowing people like Moshin Valibhan to do just as they wish.
I am a Blackburner, born and bred but, right now I am ashamed of the town and angry about the retards in the Town Hall that run it.
Joe, blackbun resident says...
10:11pm Fri 4 Apr 08
cliff rochester, billinge end road says...
6:09pm Fri 4 Apr 08
Jenny,when did u last walk through the grounds of Richardson House,or visit the premises.The place is not fit for dogs let alone humans.
Come back in a couple of years(planning permitted),and i'm sure you'll be happy.i've seen the plans and welcome my new neighbours whoever they might be.
jenny, blackburn says...
2:05pm Fri 4 Apr 08
Greg, Biilinge End Rd says...
12:26pm Fri 4 Apr 08
Sarah, Preston says...
10:06am Fri 4 Apr 08
A developer knows that he will get fined if he pulls down trees he's not supposed to. But his development can't go ahead unless he does.
The fines are built into the cost of the development. They KNOW they will get them, so they take account of that in their projections.
queens park resident, blackburn says...
9:17pm Thu 3 Apr 08
cliff rochester wrote:so cliff rochester is saying the eyesight of the council members is not up to the job and they have made the whole thing up for a story which would be printed in the local paper
what a load of codswallop!i live close to this land and as far as i\'m aware only 4 trees have been chopped down and that was the tree surgeons mistake not the land owners.richardson house is totally rundown and is well in need of upgrading and renovating.a very welcomed project.good luck to mr mohsin
cliff rochester, billinge end road says...
8:09pm Thu 3 Apr 08
queens park resident, blackburn says...
7:57pm Thu 3 Apr 08
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LOGGING CAMP': Richardson House, Blackburn, where hundreds' of trees have been cut down without permission
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Allen Evans, Blackburn says...
10:45am Mon 7 Apr 08