A Bolton man been fined for arranging the culling of protected trees in his back garden.
In November 2022, Sharjeel Iqbal of Regent Road, Lostock, arranged for 11 trees to be cut down and for a further four trees to be wilfully damaged.
Many trees in the area, including those within the garden at the address, are protected by a Tree Preservation Order imposed by the council.
Felling or wilfully damaging protected trees without permission from the council are offences under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
On 17 May 2023, the council received a complaint that several trees had been felled at the address.
Council officers visited the site on 23 May and noted that 11 mature trees had been felled despite showing no signs of disease or decay.
In addition, four dead trees were found to have been poisoned.
Mr Iqbal admitted he paid £2000 to “George”, a person whose details he had found on Facebook, to tidy up and make safe the garden area.
He said that he was unaware that the trees were protected and admitted that he made no enquiries with the council.
Appearing at Bolton Magistrates Court on Monday 26 February, Mr Iqbal was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £2780 costs.
Cllr Akhtar Zaman, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Planning, said:
“Felling protected trees without permission is illegal and can cause irreparable harm to wildlife habitats as well as hampering our fight in tackling climate change.
“Such orders are intended to protect specified trees and to prevent, in essence, the removal or damaging of trees unless permission has been obtained from the planning authority.”
Anyone with safety concerns about trees in their garden or local area should in the first instance check the council website.