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Sandbanks homeowner fined for pruning trees | Sandbanks homeowner fined for pruning trees |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A homeowner who cut back protected trees outside his £1.2m seaside property to increase its value has been ordered to pay almost £60,000. | A homeowner who cut back protected trees outside his £1.2m seaside property to increase its value has been ordered to pay almost £60,000. |
Trevor Beale deliberately breached two tree preservation orders in the exclusive Sandbanks area of Dorset. | Trevor Beale deliberately breached two tree preservation orders in the exclusive Sandbanks area of Dorset. |
He destroyed the canopies of a Scots pine tree in a neighbouring garden and one in his own, Bournemouth Crown Court was told. | He destroyed the canopies of a Scots pine tree in a neighbouring garden and one in his own, Bournemouth Crown Court was told. |
This increased the natural light on his property's rear patio, the court heard. | This increased the natural light on his property's rear patio, the court heard. |
Three experts said the work had increased the property's value, by between £20,000 and £100,000. | Three experts said the work had increased the property's value, by between £20,000 and £100,000. |
Sandbanks, Poole, is one of the most desirable coastal locations in the UK, where the average property costs well over £1m. | Sandbanks, Poole, is one of the most desirable coastal locations in the UK, where the average property costs well over £1m. |
Prosecutor Tom Horder said the work on the trees was "not trivial" and the "impact is a permanent one". | Prosecutor Tom Horder said the work on the trees was "not trivial" and the "impact is a permanent one". |
"There is no suggestion these canopies are going to recover," he added. | "There is no suggestion these canopies are going to recover," he added. |
He said increased natural light was "what people with this type of property want" as it made "a big difference to the value, saleability and potential rental income". | He said increased natural light was "what people with this type of property want" as it made "a big difference to the value, saleability and potential rental income". |
Defence barrister Mark Ruffell said he would not be making any mitigating remarks other than to point out that his client had pleaded guilty soon after seeking legal advice. | Defence barrister Mark Ruffell said he would not be making any mitigating remarks other than to point out that his client had pleaded guilty soon after seeking legal advice. |
Judge Stephen Climie told Beale that failing to enter "even into the barest consultation" with his neighbour about the work was an aggravating factor. | Judge Stephen Climie told Beale that failing to enter "even into the barest consultation" with his neighbour about the work was an aggravating factor. |
He added: "You enhanced the value of what was a property of already very substantial value indeed." | He added: "You enhanced the value of what was a property of already very substantial value indeed." |
Speaking after the hearing, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council's planning enforcement officer Andy Dearing said Beale "believed he was above the law". | |
"This was pure arrogance and the motivation was financial benefit for his holiday home," he added. | |
The judge fined Beale £2,700, ordered him to pay costs of £15,500 and for £40,579 to be confiscated to reflect the property's increase in value. | The judge fined Beale £2,700, ordered him to pay costs of £15,500 and for £40,579 to be confiscated to reflect the property's increase in value. |
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