Mr Sukh Chamdal has been ordered to pay a £300,000 fine after pleading guilty to felling 132 trees at the Debden Hall Estate in 2021.

In passing sentence, the judge, Mr Recorder Clegg KC, noted that this case represented the most significant of its nature brought before the courts to date, in terms of the number of trees and acreage of land covered.

The 132 trees were the subject of a woodland Tree Preservation Order. The felling of them is an offence under Section 210 of The Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Whilst the judge noted the defendant is of good character, and his undertaking to replacement planting at the site, the gravity of the offence meant that a substantial fine was imposed.

Mr Chamdal was ordered to pay a £300,000 fine less one-third reduction due to having pleaded guilty, meaning he has to pay sum of £200,000 within 3 months.

An undertaking for replacement planting was agreed by Mr Chamdal at the site. By the date of the sentencing hearing, on Friday 30 August 2024, Mr Chamdal had already paid Epping Forest District Council’s (EFDC) legal costs in full.

In addition to Mr Chamdal’s conviction, EFDC also prosecuted the arborists responsible for carrying out the tree works. They both pleaded guilty in June 2021:

Jan Lloyd was fined £20,000 plus costs
Watson Thomas was fined £20,000 plus costs

Councillor Paul Keska, EFDC Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Technical and Community Safety Services said:

“It is the council’s hope that these prosecutions will serve to prevent future, similar offences and emphasise our resolve in taking robust enforcement action where tree offences and other breaches of planning control occur.”