Tadley man ordered to pay for replacement tree

Town council issues missive after oak chopped down

TADLEY Town Council has issued a missive to a man to pay for the cost of a replacement tree after he ordered the felling of an oak on council-owned land without permission.

The issue was on the agenda at a recent meeting of the council’s highways and planning committee, regarding the felling of an oak tree, situated to the south of 12 Sandford Road.

The work had not been sanctioned beforehand by the town council.

Council chairman, David Leeks (Con, Tadley Central) said he arrived home on September 2 and his wife told him someone was chopping trees down.

On investigation, Mr Leeks found an oak tree had been chopped down in Sandford Road.

He said: “The clerk (of the town council) went to investigate, but by then there was only an eight-foot stump left.

“He (the resident) said it had been chopped down due to a fungal infection.”

After the man informed the town council he had employed an unnamed contractor to cut down the tree, and also because branches were overhanging his property, clerk Nicki Barry sought advice from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, who had advised her to report the matter to the police.

A Pcso then paid the resident a visit and was told that the man had mistakenly believed the tree was on his land, according to Mrs Barry.

“The police asked if we want to take any action,” said Mrs Barry.

Town councillor John Moss (Ind, Tadley East) said if the council decided not to take any further action, it could set a precedent.

Committee chairwoman Sue Mullan (Ind, Tadley North) said: “I would be tempted to ask him to install a new tree – it’s criminal damage.

“He has left us with a problem – the tree won’t survive and we are left with an eight-foot stump that will die and is dying. It’s a hazard.

“It will have to be removed properly. You can’t just leave a stump, it will have to be completely cleared.”

The council decided to write to the resident to inform him that the remaining tree would be removed and a replacement oak re-planted and that he would be expected to meet the costs of this.

The council was also to seek legal advice on the issue.