Anston house developers to face court

Brighton and Hove council have announced that they will be persuing the prosecution of Bridgetown Properties after their alleged felling of protected trees during the Anston House redevelopment.

Following a long campaign, including a 24 hour on-site protest, the developers will face the court on 3 June.

Amy Kennedy, Green City Councillor for Preston Park Ward, said: “The evidence-gathering exercise undertaken by officers in order to undertake a prosecution has been a painstaking and laborious task, hence the length of time it has taken to make this announcement.”

The council was alerted in June last year when residents noticed the trees being bulldozed. Nearly ten trees were destroyed including a rare, healthy Elm and a Beech.

There was further uproar earlier this year as yet another tree at the site was damaged. Soil levels around one of the remaining trees were so altered that the council was forced to rule that the tree was unstable.

The maximum fine for cutting down a protected tree is £20,000 if the violation is committed by a member of the public. When it comes to commercial properties the fine can equal up to twice the value of the land, a judge may also issue a custodial sentence. In the case of Anston House this would amount to around £21 million.

It remains unclear whether the council will be pursuing the regular £20,000 a tree prosecution, or whether they will attempt to prosecute in the fullest. Information is being kept to a minimum so as not to prejudice the trial.

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