Legal News

A farmer has been prosecuted by Durham Council, after he cut down trees in an ancient woodland in a Conservation Area, blocking a public footpath.

Leslie Ford, 71, of Hollinside Farm in Whickham, County Durham felled a number of trees in ancient woodland classed as a Conservation Area and owned by Durham Council at Bryan's Leap in Burnopfield.

The ancient woodland is at least 400 years old and the felled trees, which were mostly oaks, were around 100 years old.

In cutting down the trees, Ford had blocked a public footpath, which runs through the woodland.

In court, Ford denied felling the trees, saying vandals or trespassers must have been responsible – he also disputed the trees were within the Conservation Area.

Council environmental officers had received complaints from the public about the tree felling in April 2015.

On 5 February 2016 at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court, Ford – who owns fields adjoining the woodland – pleaded not guilty to three charges of damaging trees in a Conservation Area and one charge of obstructing a public footpath.

Ford was fined £2,322.31, after magistrates found him guilty of all charges. The fine will be paid to the council to cover the costs of clearing up the felled trees and bringing the case to court.

After the hearing, Durham Council’s head of transport and contract services, Adrian White, said:

“Ford's actions in cutting down trees in an ancient woodland and blocking a footpath were reckless – and caused lasting harm to a site which is protected by law.

“We welcome the fine handed out by the court, which should act as a warning that we will not tolerate damage like this.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving environmental offences, including charges relating to Conservation Areas, misuse of permitted land, contamination of watercourses, fly tipping, waste carrier offences, obstructing a public footpath, air pollution, failing to manage hazardous waste and fisheries offences.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and a criminal defence solicitor can attend interviews under caution with the police and investigating or prosecuting authorities, such as local authorities or the Environment Agency.

For expert legal advice on environmental offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.