A MAN is out of pocket by more than £1,500 after chopping down an oak tree - which was on his own land.

Haulage contractor Peter Seales, of Juliet Way, Purfleet, was ordered to pay £667 fine as well as £828 costs and a £66 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to contravening a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) issued by Basildon Borough Council.

Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard how on October 23 last year Seales caused or permitted the destruction of a protected oak on land he owns south of St Annes, Southbourne Grove, in Wickford.

Speaking after the court hearing, councillor Richard Moore, Basildon Council’s cabinet member for planning said: “I am pleased with the magistrate’s decision as it sends out a very strong message that this, and let’s be frank here, kind of wilful destruction and complete disregard of the law, will not be tolerated in our borough.”