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The defendant appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 4 September 2025, where he pleaded guilty to six offences of causing or permitting the cutting down of six protected trees in Burnham-on-Crouch in June 2024. 

The trees felled included three Horse Chestnuts, two London Planes, and one Lime Tree. These trees were subject to a Tree Preservation Order due to their significant environmental and amenity value. 

The court heard that the combined CAVAT (Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees) value of the trees was estimated at £197,015.00. 

The man was fined £2,533.00 and ordered to pay a Criminal Courts Surcharge of £1,013.00 and costs of £1,769.99, bringing the total financial penalty to £5,315.99. 

Councillor Richard Siddall, Leader of Maldon District Council, said: “This successful prosecution sends a clear message that we take the protection of our district’s trees very seriously. Trees play a vital role in our environment and community wellbeing, and those protected by Tree Preservation Orders are legally safeguarded for good reason. We will continue to take robust action against those who flout these protections.” 

The Council will continue monitoring this matter to ensure that suitable replacement trees are planted by the landowner. 

Notes: 

• Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are made by local planning authorities to protect specific trees, groups of trees, or woodlands in the interests of amenity. It is an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or destroy a tree protected by a TPO without the council’s consent. 
• CAVAT (Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees) is a method used to assess the financial value of trees based on their size, health, and public visibility. It provides a way to quantify the loss to the community when a tree is unlawfully removed or damaged.