A company director and a tree surgeon have been fined after a protected sycamore was illegally cut back.

Helen Kelly–Howe, of Chingford, and John McAllister were ordered to pay a total of more than £2,000 after unauthorised work was carried on a tree in High Street, Roydon.

In June, Epping Forest Council officers were notified branches of a sycamore tree situated within one property had been cut back, where they overhung onto neighbouring land.

Investigations revealed Kelly–Howe, a director of the company owning the property, instructed tree surgeon McAllister to cut the branches back to the boundary.

No checks had been made to find out if the tree was protected and neither sought consent to carry out the works undertaken.

Standing within the Roydon conservation area a 6 week notice of any intended work to the tree should have been provided.

Such a notice would have revealed that consent for the extent of the works would have not been granted in any event.

Kelly-Howe pleaded guilty to causing or permitting unauthorised work to a tree in a conservation area.

Magistrates stated shee had a greater role in the matter and was fined £1,000, ordered to pay a contribution of £750 towards the Council’s prosecution costs and a victim surcharge

McAllister was fined £300 and ordered to pay a contribution of £250 towards the Council’s prosecution costs plus a victim surcharge of £30.