Developer fined for felling protected trees
WEALDEN District Council has successfully prosecuted developer McCarthy and Stone for the unauthorised felling of trees protected by a tree preservation order.
McCarthy and Stone (Developments) Ltd pleaded guilty and was fined 4,000 by Eastbourne magistrates, and ordered to pay an additional 1,500 costs to the council.
The felling took place on the site of a new retirement development the company was building at Risingholme in Heathfield.
David Kavanagh-Spall, one of Wealden's Arboriculture Officers, said: 'The trees were visible from Heathfield High Street and were a source of widespread concern among local people.'