10 alleged tree choppings investigated

The number of enforcement cases investigated relating to the alleged cutting down, uprooting or wilfully destroying a tree, or wilfully damaging, topping or lopping a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was 4 in 2009/10; 2 in 2010/11; and 4 in 2011/12 (up until December last).

However, of a total 121 cases across Northern Ireland during the three years just one prosecution resulted.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: “It is important to note that the vast majority of breaches of planning control are resolved informally through negotiation with the owner/occupier or through the submission and consideration of a retrospective planning application.”

The one prosecution occurred in Omagh. Mr Attwood stated: “In November 2011, a Co Tyrone man was fined £5,000 with court costs of £85 at Omagh Magistrates’ Court for a breach of a DOE Planning Tree Preservation Order.

“Whilst only one prosecution has resulted from the above investigations on cases opened in the last three business years, 43 per cent of the 121 cases when investigated did not breach planning control; and, 14 per cent were remedied/received planning permission.”