A MAN has been fined thousands of pounds for felling a tree protected under a preservation order.
John Harvey, of Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall, was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £2,500 costs for the wilful destruction of a protected tree. The 66-year-old also has to pay a statutory charge of £150 after being found guilty at Burnley Magistrates’ Court.
Cllr Adrian Lythgoe, whose portfolio includes planning enforcement, said: “Felling trees under a preservation order is a serious offence.
“Preservation orders are made for a reason, to protect our most important trees.
“While we always see prosecution as a last resort, we will always take swift action to uphold orders.
“I hope this will serve as a warning to others that breaching these orders can land you with a criminal conviction and a very heavy fine.”
A Tree Preservation Order is an order made by a local planning authority to protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands in the interests of amenity. An order prohibits the cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilful damage or destruction of trees without consent.
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