A COMPANY has been ordered to pay £10,200 in fines and costs for felling trees in the grounds of Ingleton Youth Hostel.

Howsons Ltd authorised the cutting down of 17 trees on the site in Ingleton Conservation Area before first applying to Craven District Council, Skipton magistrates heard on Friday.

Directors Michael and Andrew Howson, two of the three brothers who own the company, were told by magistrates they should have been aware of the conservation area status and that ignorance was no defence, particularly as one of them was a parish councillor.

Lisa Lord, prosecuting for the council, said the loss of public amenity could be put at £13,016.

Most of the trees were broad-leafed, including sycamore, oak, ash and rowan, and would have been given preservation orders, protecting them from harm.

Mrs Lord said a council enforcement officer visited the site on April 15 after being contacted by a member of the public.

It was discovered 18 trees had been cut down - including one by the previous owner - and the following day two officers returned to take pictures of the stumps, all of which measured more than 75mm in diameter, and the largest 1,200mm.

Andrew Howson, when interviewed under caution, said when buying the hostel his solicitor had said there were no tree preservation orders.

But, Mrs Lord said the council had informed Howsons that the land was within a conservation order and of two previous applications involving trees as part of pre-purchase searches in February.

In addition, no surveys had been carried out about the possible wildlife living in and around the trees.

Andrew and Michael Howson, for the company, based in Duke Street, Penrith, admitted nine charges of causing the cutting down of trees in a conservation area between April 1 and April 30.

In mitigation, Rachel Cooper said the company owned several businesses in the area, including a bike shop and a cafe, and they had bought the hostel after hearing it was to be turned into flats.

She said it was their intention to preserve it and to support the area where they had grown up.

They had made a mistake in believing there was no need to talk to the council to fell the self-seeding trees of no more than 30 years old.

In addition, she claimed just one person had made a complaint while many others, including the nearby swimming pool, had welcomed their removal because they had been blocking light.

Miss Cooper added so keen were the brothers on supporting the area that they had asked whether any fine imposed could be given to the swimming pool.

The company was fined £9,000, reduced from £13,000 because of the early guilty plea, with costs of £300 and a victims surcharge of £900.

Speaking after the case, Cllr Richard Welch, chairman of Craven District Council's planning committee, said that the council took all reports of unauthorised works to protected trees very seriously.

He added: "The council will always carry out an immediate and thorough investigation and will, as in this case, pursue a prosecution where the unauthorised works have caused damage to or the permanent removal of protected trees.

"Where unauthorised works have been carried out, the council will also ensure that appropriate replanting takes place. Anyone planning to carry out work to trees that may be protected is encouraged to contact the council first for advice."