Cleadon man ordered to pay almost £9,000 for carrying out unauthorised tree works
A Cleadon man has been penalised after carrying out unauthorised works to trees in a conservation area.
South Tyneside Council has prosecuted a Cleadon man after he lopped multiple trees without the required permission.
Paul Smith, of West Park Road, carried out extensive lopping and topping works to several trees at his property, including a sycamore protected by a Tree Preservation Order.
South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard that the works has left the trees severely damaged, with one reduced to the point that it was considered destroyed.
In addition, a group of five early mature sycamores within the Cleadon Village Conservation Area were cut back to bare stems without prior notification to South Tyneside Council, which is a legal requirement.
The court was told that Smith was aware that the trees were protected and that he would need permission before carrying out any work.
As a result, Smith was fined more than £5,600 and ordered by the court to pay a total financial penalty of £8,800.
Cllr Karen Pittuck, Lead Member for Highways, Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, has urged anyone thinking about carrying out tree works to contact the local authority first.
She commented: “Planning rules are there for a reason, in this case to protect and maintain the character of our neighbourhoods.
“If people choose to ignore them, they could fall foul of the law.
“If you are thinking of carrying out works to a tree you should contact the council’s planning department to check whether it is protected, before doing anything, or you may commit a criminal offence.”
For more details about the protection of trees in the borough, visit: https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/24869/Overview.