Residents living in conservation areas are being urged to check restrictions after a man was cautioned for having work done to his trees.

The owner of the property in Bletchingly claimed he was unaware the property was in a conservation area.

He was cautioned after the Council’s Senior Tree Officer visited the site and saw tree topping had taken place and was still in progress.

No notification of works had been received.

The owner of the company carrying out the works was fined £900 pounds and ordered to pay Council’s costs of £210 and an additional £90 to the victim support fund.

Anyone carrying out works is supposed to check the status of trees before acting – the extent of the works carried out meant the trees would die as a result.