A MAN who was responsible for damage being caused to a protected tree "during the construction of a new driveway" outside his Poole home has been ordered to pay more than £4,000 by the courts.

Brian Saxby was taken to court by BCP Council in relation to the breach of a tree preservation order (TPO) for a tree, which is located in front of his home in Corfe Way, Broadstone.

The order was made more than 40 years ago by Borough of Poole.

With this measure in place for the “Roman Road Area”, the Scots pine had been protected since June 1977.

However, in November 2019, the tree was damaged and this led to BCP Council taking action.

A spokesperson from the local authority, said: “The council is committed to protecting the environmental features which make the area so special for residents and visitors alike.

“Following the wilful contravention of a long-standing tree preservation order in November 2019 and damage to a protected tree at Corfe Way in Broadstone, we began a case against the owner of the property.

“We are pleased the owner has accepted responsibility for the damage, which occurred during the construction of a new driveway, and ordered to pay a total of £4,022 in fines and costs by Poole Magistrates Court, payable in 28 days.’’

Saxby, aged 61, was not present for the hearing in Poole on December 16. However, he admitted a single count of contravening tree preservation order otherwise than by uprooting.

Magistrates issued him with a fine of £1,384 and ordered him to pay a £138 surcharge and £2,500 costs.

The bench took Saxby’s guilty plea into account when imposing the sentence.

The crime was contrary to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which states when determining the fine issued the court should have particular regard to any financial benefit which has accrued or appears likely to accrue to the defendant as a result of the offence.