protected trees cut down on Green Lane

Uncle Harry

Uncle Harry

Active member
ancient Trees with preservation orders felled, an appalling act.

I gather investigations are underway. A tiny beautiful corner of our landscape and heritage chipped away. Still it’s only Middlesbrough eh who gives a toss when you can squeeze a few more quid out of a site.

nb edited this to correct the fact that the Black poplar remains…for now
 
Last edited:
Uncle Harry said:
ancient Trees with preservation orders including a rare female black poplar felled, an appalling act.

I gather investigations are underway. A tiny beautiful corner of our landscape and heritage chipped away. Still it’s only Middlesbrough eh who gives a toss when you can squeeze a few more quid out of a site
Click to expand...
but...but....but. 'Middlesbrough is a Tree City of the world'.......but but but.....

a scandalous act of urban vandalism.
 
That is fkking depressing. The punishment will be a slap on the wrist and trivial it was all a terrible mistake "oops" but will no doubt allow the developers to make a few grand more out of the site. The fines should be so draconian that no one dares "make this sort of mistake" ever again.
 
Especially after i posted on here after hearing the news on the radio & reading on line i posted on here that I was proud as punch of the town & term "green smoggies", not so good, infact its scandelous
 
In considering the amount of any fine payable for contravention of a TPO, s.210(3) states that the Court shall “have regard to any financial benefit which has accrued or appears likely to accrue to him in consequence of the offence.” The effect of this is not to be underestimated. Recent case law has shown that Courts will take a firm and punitive stance in their interpretation of this and will make use of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to reinforce the financial penalty. For example, anybody who commits an offence under the act with the result that the value of his own property increases, can be made to pay the amount of this increase.



In the case of Davey [2013] EWCA Crim 1662 the Defendant, convicted of an offence under s.210(1), was ordered to pay both a substantial fine of £75,000 and was also made subject to a Confiscation Order under the Proceeds of Crime Act for the consequent increase in the value of his own property as a result of the contravention, which amounted to a further £50,000. A similar case was seen in 2019 where the Defendant was ordered to pay a further £21,750, on top of a fine of £1200, to reflect the increase in the value of his own property following his lopping of a tree protected by a TPO.
 
Tees Issue - Andy Preston - Response

**Linthorpe Trees Update***
Update on the outrageous felling of trees on the former art college site that has understandably caused so much dismay and anger...
With the help of others, I believe I’ve identified the new owner of the land who instigated the cutting down of several trees.
I’m striving to confirm the information I’ve been given is correct - and will do so within the next 24 hours.
When I do, I’ll be contacting them to demand they don’t touch another tree - and to call on them to attend a public meeting to clearly explain their actions and future plans for the site.
I’ll be asking Councillor Philippa Storey, who has led on highlighting this incident, to help lead this meeting.
I’ll also look to provide a correspondence address for the owners so that the people of Middlesbrough can clearly but respectfully express their views to them.
Sadly, the law on such actions is weak and fines the council can give are limited. However, when it is confirmed exactly which rules have been broken, I can promise that I personally will press for the maximum legal enforcement be taken.
To be crystal clear, the land in question was not and is not council-owned - it is privately owned and changed hands within the last few days.
The land was sold and the trees were destroyed within days.
We cannot bring the trees back - but we can and will take any legal actions within our power if rules have been broken.
More info as soon as I have it.
Andy

felled trees.jpg
 
Uncle Harry said:
The Female Black Poplar is a rare specimen of our most threatened indigenous tree, and was the most northerly one in the Country, very rare and very gone
Click to expand...
Thankfully the black poplar has escaped this egregious act of vandalism - or at least it was still standing at 9am this morning when I dropped my daughter off at Green Lane School.

They've definitely removed some of the other trees with TPOs though.
 
Alexander Supertramp said:
It’s Lidl that have bought the site.

ridiculous spot for another supermarket. Fingers crossed they won’t get planning permission (they haven’t submitted anything yet… but they made sure they cut the trees down as soon as they could)
Click to expand...

Lidl: Hey we'd like to buy that land of yours, but only if you remove the trees

Landowner: Sorry no chance, there's a protection order on them

Lidl: OK we'll pay your fine for felling them, plus an extra £10k for the hassle, but you have to keep our name out of it

Landowner: OK but make it £20k extra, free pies for life from your shop, and we have a deal

Lidle: Deal

This is how it **allegedly** might have happened
 
Uncle Harry said:
ancient Trees with preservation orders including a rare female black poplar felled, an appalling act.

I gather investigations are underway. A tiny beautiful corner of our landscape and heritage chipped away. Still it’s only Middlesbrough eh who gives a toss when you can squeeze a few more quid out of a site
Click to expand...
There is a fine for felling protected trees but it's just an expense to property developers and big business (including 'responsible', well known names like supermarkets).
 
red_harrington said:
Lidl: Hey we'd like to buy that land of yours, but only if you remove the trees

Landowner: Sorry no chance, there's a protection order on them

Lidl: OK we'll pay your fine for felling them, plus an extra £10k for the hassle, but you have to keep our name out of it

Landowner: OK but make it £20k extra, free pies for life from your shop, and we have a deal

Lidle: Deal

This is how it **allegedly** might have happened
Click to expand...

“We can provide you with a chainsaw from the middle aisle as well”
 
dickyjim78 said:
Thankfully the black poplar has escaped this egregious act of vandalism - or at least it was still standing at 9am this morning when I dropped my daughter off at Green Lane School.

They've definitely removed some of the other trees with TPOs though.
Click to expand...
If the Black poplar stands and isn’t cut down that’s good news & important, other preserved trees are reported to have been felled. Let’s see what the investigation shows
 
I've just been emailed this news by a relative in M'bro. Made worse by the fact that I went to the art college from 68-71. Deliberate vandalism. Lidl will no doubt claim the trees were 'diseased' which is always the first ploy. It would be very easy to verify that claim IF the trees haven't already been carted off.
 
I am surprised that Lidl would be allowed to build on that site, surely in one of Middlesbrough's prime residential areas. That area of the felled trees is actually Roman Road which is in Linthorpe. Green Lane itself divides Linthorpe from Acklam.
 
They havent even applied for planning permission yet.
Their agreement to buy seems to have had a confidentiality agreement. They blew their own cover chopping down the trees.
There is now a meeting arranged between Lidl and with local councillors.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top