The director of development firm Enzo's Homes, and the firm itself, has been found guilty at Swansea Magistrates' Court of contravening a tree preservation order. It was found that in preparing a site for a new housing development, 70 protected trees, including one of the oldest redwoods in the country, has been cut down.
Director Fiorenzo Sauro said he had nothing to gain by cutting the trees down and it was an accident coming from others failing to follow instructions. Meanwhile, a self-employed tree surgeon contracted to cut down the trees has pleaded guilty to contravening the tree preservation order.
Amongst the trees felled was a 200-year-old giant redwood, believed to be one of the oldest redwoods in the UK. It was planted by the Llewelyn family who owned the land and who created what is now known as Penllergaer Valley Woods around 10 years before redwood seeds began to arrive in the UK from America. John Dillwyn Llewelyn imported trees from all over the world as he was keenly interested in horticulture, botany and arboriculture.
When permission was granted for a new housing estate near to the trees, a tree preservation order was established to protect them. Tree officer Alan Webster said he visited the building site in November 2018 after reports reached him of the ancient redwood being felled.
Mr Webster said it would cost around £250,000 to replace the redwood alone, even though really it was irreplaceable. He said "this is ancient woodland dating back hundreds of years. It is important. You couldn't replant a tree of this size but this [its size] is used to extrapolate a valuation".
Councillor Mark Thomas, cabinet member for environment, said "in our view this was never a victimless crime".
"The felled tree was part of the heritage of this area of Swansea and one of the first of its kind to be planted in the city. The decision to prosecute was not taken lightly and the convictions should serve as a warning to others".
Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, anyone who cuts down a tree in contravention of a tree preservation order commits an offence and could be fined. Sentencing in this case will take place next month.
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