A MAN has been ordered to pay more than £80,000 for felling 16 protected trees in a Hampshire village. 

Nick Baker attended court last week over the destruction of 16 oak trees in Warsash that were protected by a tree preservation order.

Fareham Borough Council brought the case against him saying that the trees being ripped down "represents a significant loss to the area and to the ecosystem". 

Baker, of Brook Lane, Warsash appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court to be sentenced. 

Magistrates said while it was impossible to put a price on the trees a fine of £7,500 for each of the 16 trees will be imposed equalling £120,000. 

READ MORE: Developer wanted to build holiday lets after tearing down Horton Heath trees, court told

Having pleaded guilty, Baker's fine was reduced by a third, meaning he must now pay £81,415.

Councillor Simon Martin, Executive Member for Planning and Development at Fareham Borough Council, said: “This is a significant prosecution for the Council and we hope that this will act as a deterrent for others who may be tempted to offend.

"Breaching tree preservation orders is unacceptable, and we will do everything we can to prosecute offenders in Fareham.

"This was not just one or two trees but 16 in total and they will take hundreds of years to replace, not to mention the damage to the ecosystem and biodiversity of the area. 

"We understand that this is one of the largest fines imposed for a TPO breach and I believe it was entirely warranted.”

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