The owner of the land in Beckenham where 131 protected trees were felled is being required to replant 131 oak trees on the site, replacing the felled trees.
Whilst the investigation about the felling is continuing, the owner of the privately owned land is being contacted to make them aware that Section 206 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 places a duty on the owner of the land to plant the same number of new trees in such places as may be designated by the Council as the local planning authority.
Councillor Angela Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement said, “Local residents are still quite rightly shocked and saddened at what took place on that fateful weekend when the protected trees were felled. We are considering all the legal measures we have at our disposal and the requirement for the landowner to replant oak trees on this much loved and precious site is part of that. We previously successfully sought an injunction which gives additional protections and our investigation into the felling of the trees is very much continuing.”
The news follows the granting of an earlier injunction which gives further legal protection for the privately owned land adjacent to Cator Park in Kings Hall Road, where the protected trees were growing before they were felled on a weekend in June.
Anyone found guilty of felling trees that were identified by a Tree Preservation Order commits an offence contravening Section 210 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, with fines of up to £20,000 at a Magistrates Court or an unlimited fine at Crown Court being the sentences. It is likely that the investigation will continue for some weeks to come as evidence continues to be gathered.
ENDS
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