A Claudy company secretary was fined £5,000 at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on December 7 for the unauthorised removal of trees within the Ballycastle Conservation Area.
Colum Gerard O’Kane (40), company secretary of C and E Developments Ltd, of Eden Road, Park, Claudy, was convicted for the removal of 39 mature and semi-mature deciduous trees from lands to the rear of Fairhill Street, Ballycastle.
The Planning Service brought the action under Article 66A of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.
Mr O’Kane was fined £5000 and £425 court costs. He is also required to replant trees on the site.
Notes to Editors:
- All trees within a Conservation Area are protected. The Planning Service will continue to prosecute those who facilitate the unauthorised removal of trees from within Northern Ireland’s 60 Conservation Areas.
- In addition to the protection given in Conservation Areas, trees can be protected by Tree Preservation Orders or by planning conditions. Enquiries regarding trees and their protection should be directed to the relevant Divisional Planning Office.
Contact details are available on the Planning Service website www.planningni.gov.uk.
For further media enquiries, please contact the DOE Press Office on 028 90540014.
