A TREE surgeon has been ordered to pay nearly £4,000 after cutting down seven trees without proper authorisation.

Nicholas Channer failed to tell Aylesbury Vale District Council he intended to fell the trees at Friars Court in Aylesbury – which falls within a conservation area.

Mr Channer, of Copperkins Lane, Amersham, pleaded guilty to the offences when he appeared before magistrates in Aylesbury.

Before commencing work to trees within a conservation area, prior notification must be given to the district council – but Mr Channer failed to do this.

He was fined £2,800 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000 by JPs.

Replacement trees have since been planted and the council has served a Tree Preservation Order to protect them.

Cllr Sue Polhill, Cabinet Member for Planned Development at Aylesbury Vale District Council, said: “We take a tough stance against anyone carrying out tree works without first checking whether permission is required.

“Trees in a conservation area are protected by the conservation area status so, as this case proves, we are determined to deal firmly with those who break the rules.”