A Sheffield man has been handed a fine of more than £65,000 after he admitted cutting down several trees in an ancient re-planted woodland in Chapletown, despite there being a Tree Preservation Order in place.
Saeed Nazir, 55, of Owler Lane in Sheffield, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court on Wednesday 22 January and pleaded guilty to contravening a Tree Preservation Order between 16 August 2019 and 18 January 2023 when he felled several trees from an ancient replanted woodland.
The court was shown aerial photographs of Harrison Spring, on Penistone Road, that showed the extent of the clearance Mr Nazir had created with visits to the site discovering approximately 30 tree stumps with partial root plates attached, however, the trees Mr Nazir removed were part of an ancient woodland and were subject to a Tree Preservation Order, making it illegal for them to be removed without lawful authority.
During the hearing, Mr Nazir had argued that he wasn’t aware of the Preservation Order being in place and that the buildings on the land were to be used to house sheep and goats. However, the Magistrates felt it was an aggravating factor that the trees had been removed to make room for this farming enterprise.
Sentencing Mr Nazir, the Magistrates ordered him to pay a fine of £65,000 for contravening a Tree Preservation Order. He must also pay costs of £2,067 along with a surcharge of £190.
This case, and the size of the fine, should act as a warning. We will take action against anyone who breaches a Tree Preservation Order.
We have some fantastic ancient woodlands in Sheffield, and we will do all we can to protect them as much as possible. I am pleased to say that trees are being replaced at the location to try and restore the woodland back to its former glory. I would urge anyone who is thinking about removing any trees in Sheffield to check with the Council first to ensure they don’t end up in the same situation and having to pay a large fine.
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council
As a Street Tree Partnership we understand the importance of street trees to connect green spaces, including woodlands, both for nature recovery and climate resilience, but not if those spaces have been damaged or destroyed.
As such we welcome and support the council's action against the destruction of ancient woodland and hope that it serves as a reminder to others that we will collectively defend our natural heritage.
Nathan Edwards, chair of Sheffield Street Tree Partnership