By Tony O’Riley-
A 75-year-old owner of a former Northamptonshire hotel has been fined £4,500 court bill, after contractors chopped down a tree which had a preservation order on it.
Mahmoud Keder Agha-Hjrous, owner of grade two listed French Partridge in Newport Pagnell Road, Horton, admitted two offences under the Town & Country Planning Act at Northampton Magistrates’ Court last month.
Magistrates today fined Hirous £1,500 for each offence, including an order for him to pay West Northamptonshire Council’s costs of £1,321.57 and a £150 surcharge to fund victim services.
The court heard Mr Agha-Hjrous, employed a contractor in January 2020 to clear a patch of land in front of the hotel which had been used by fly-tippers.
Underlying his error was the fact he mistakenly assumed that if any trees had to be felled, the contractor would seek the necessary permissions if they were subject to Tree Preservation Orders.
Cllr Rebecca Breese, West Northants’ cabinet member for strategic planning, built environment and rural affairs, told the Eye Of Media.Com: “Trees are an important part of our environment and our communities, so we have laws which allow us to protect them.
“In this case not only were the trees part of a prominent landmark on the main road through the village, but they also acted as a noise and visual buffer between homes and the road.
“It’s a mistake we could not overlook and I would urge landowners to contact us if they are in any doubt over the status of a tree before they allow any work to be carried out on them.”
Fines for damaging trees, hedges, shrubs or bushes protected by preservation orders can be as high as £20,000.