Homeowners could be fined £20k for cutting garden trees
As more Brits dust off the tools and tidy up their gardens this spring, experts say thousands may unknowingly be breaking the law simply by cutting back or removing trees in their own backyard.
According to home experts at My Home Improvements, many people don't realise that trees in residential gardens may be protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).
It means that if you cut down, lop, damage, or destroy a protected tree without permission, it could result in criminal prosecution and a fine of up to £20,000 in a magistrates' court.
Mr Fielding, 51, didn't realise that certain trees – even if its in your garden – can be protected.
'It was blocking the light in the conservatory and leaning over the fence,' he explained.
'So I gave it a proper cut.'
But soon after he received a letter from the local council telling him the tree was protected and that he may have breached the order by cutting back too much.
'I didn't even know such a thing existed. I thought trees in your own garden were your responsibility,' Mr Fielding continued.
'I was shocked to learn I could be fined thousands.'
Plants that could damage the value of your home
What is a Tree Preservation Order?
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is a legal protection issued by your local council to prevent important trees from being cut, pruned, damaged or removed without consent.
These orders apply to trees that have environmental, historical or aesthetic value and yes, even if they're on your private property.
Failing to get approval before carrying out work on a protected tree is a criminal offence.
'The trouble is, most homeowners have no idea their tree is protected,' says Sophie Willoughby, a gardening expert who was contacted by My Home Improvements.
'It's easy to think you're just doing routine garden work, but one snip too many and you could face a hefty fine,' Sophie explains.
'Councils take it very seriously and so they should, because mature trees are crucial for wildlife and air quality.'
How to avoid a £20,000 fine
To help homeowners avoid legal trouble this gardening season, My Home Improvements has shared some simple but important advice to keep things safe and legal in your garden.
Check with your council – before cutting or trimming any large trees, contact your local authority to find out if there's a TPO in place.
Don't assume it's okay just because it's in your garden
Get written permission – if a tree is protected, you must apply for permission to do any work on it.
Recommended reading:
Take photos before you prune – this helps if there's any dispute over what was done.
Use a professional tree surgeon
A spokesperson from My Home Improvements, added: 'Before you pick up the saw or shears, take a moment to check your tree isn't protected.
"Councils don't issue TPOs lightly and breaching one can land you in legal trouble.
'Whether you're trimming, pruning or removing, always ask first, as it's a simple step that could save you £20,000 and a trip to court.'
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Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I tested best fish and chips in capital of British national dish – winner was succulent and flaky and only cost £10.50
Check out the ratings for all 22 fish and chip shops in Scarborough we put to the test NOBODY DOES IT BATTER I tested best fish and chips in capital of British national dish – winner was succulent and flaky and only cost £10.50 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE are few things we Brits love more than fish and chips. And Scarborough, home to 93 chippies, knows that more than anywhere else. The seaside resort in North Yorks has more fish and chip shops per head than any other town or city in the country — 85.4 per 100,000 to be precise. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 15 Tom Bryden put the UK's fish and chip capital to the test, trying out as many different establishments as possible Credit: Richard Walker So as a self-confessed fan of our national dish, I knew I had to pay it a visit. My mission? To find the best fish and chips in the fish and chip capital of Britain. My method? By trying as many establishments as I could in the town centre in one day. And along the way, I found out just how the chippy makes the meal like nowhere else — and why it's more important than ever to make a point of supporting your local. As it turns out, the dish had made quite the journey to end up in the UK. Sephardic Jews in 15th Century Portugal enjoyed traditional fried fish on the Sabbath. Cooking on the day itself was forbidden, so they would wrap the fish in batter to preserve it. But when they were banished in 1497, many fled to England, bringing the dish with them — and the tradition of eating it on a Friday soon caught on. By the Victorian era, fried fish was firmly established as a working-class staple, being cheap, nutritious and easy to ship across the country thanks to the arrival of the railways. 'Fried fish warehouses' even featured in the Charles Dickens classic Oliver Twist. Britain's £65 Fish & Chips So Big NO ONE Can Finish It Alone But the title of Britain's first fish and chip shop is hotly debated. A southerner may tell you the first one was opened in Bow, East London, by a Jewish immigrant called Joseph Malin in about 1860, while a northerner might claim it was John Lees, who opened a market stall in Mossley, Lancs, around 1863. Wherever that marriage of fried fish and fried chips was first made, it wasn't long before there was a shop on just about every corner. The dish even escaped rationing during World War Two. 'Prices are rocketing' 'It just worked so well, and it's great nutrition,' says Andrew Crook, President of the National Federation of Fish Friers. The numbers don't lie either. According to UK Fisheries, UK fans scoff around 382million meals from chippies every year and spend £1.2billion on fish and chips annually. Even Queen Elizabeth was a devotee — although she didn't eat fish off a newspaper, instead preferring haddock cut into small squares and covered in breadcrumbs. So how did we come to love fish and chips so much? 'It's a comfort thing,' reckons Andrew. 'People go on holiday, and the first meal they have when they get back is fish and chips. 'Everyone has their favourite chippy — you see so many arguments on social media about which one's better than the other. But as long as it sells and people love it, you're doing alright.' But the good old fish and chip shop is under threat. Although there are still more than 10,500 shops left in the country, they now find themselves under pressure just like other small businesses. 15 Fish and chips shops are under pressure from many different market factors in 2025 Credit: Richard Walker 'Fish prices are rocketing, while staff wages and national insurance contributions have increased,' says Raymond Fusco, a third-generation fish fryer and the owner of Winking Willy's, a fish and chip shop right on the harbourside in Scarborough. He adds: 'Gas price increases were massive too, because of the Ukraine war. All that has to be taken into account.' Reduced cod fishing quotas in recent years have also driven costs upwards. But despite these challenges, Raymond still feels confident about the future. He says: 'The good shops will continue to thrive. You can't imagine a Britain without fish and chips.' Andrew, meanwhile, wants the Government to recognise the problems smaller shops face. He says: 'We've got a great product and people rightly love fish and chips. 'We just need the Government to start engaging with this more closely, because if they don't I fear for many small businesses.' But to really understand fish and chips, I would have to get behind the counter and find out how it is made. Raymond explains the vital parts of the process. The oil will soak in if the batter is too thin — and chips must always be at least double fried. When it comes to the fish, keeping the oil clean is what matters most, and it must be regularly sieved to remove scraps and impurities. 15 Tom was invited behind the scenes to check out how fish and chip shops operate Credit: Richard Walker 'Crispy on outside' It's also why what you get down the chippy is so different to what you get in pubs. Raymond reveals: 'We always say, the busier we are, the better the fish, because you're constantly turning over the oil. 'Pubs don't generally do the same amount of volume.' I was now ready to go back to the customer side of the counter and see what Scarborough had on offer — but what should I be looking for in good fish and chips? Andrew, who also judges the National Fish and Chip awards, says: 'You want to be looking at the batter first. 'I'd always break a fish in half and make sure it's not too gooey underneath. You want a nice thin batter that's crisp, and you want a little bit of lift on it, usually a bit spiky.' Haddock rather than cod is the preferred offering in Scarborough, but a good fish will always be ice white and flakey. And for the chips? Andrew says: 'Crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.' But he added that as it was new potato season, they would likely be on the softer side. For these reviews, I have taken into account flavour and value for money to give each a mark out of ten. Here, I reveal what happened when I put Scarborough — and my arteries — to the test. Winking Willies: £10.50 15 Family-run Winking Willies stood out with terrific taste to score a 9/10 rating Credit: Richard Walker THE batter at this family-run shop certainly delivered a great crunch. The chips also had a good amount of softness on the inside without sacrificing the bite on the outside – no doubt thanks to the fact it is cooked in beef tallow. But it was the fish itself that really stood out, with a succulent flavour and great degree of flakiness. SCORE: 9/10 Harbourside: £11.20 15 Harbourside charged a high price, and thankfully the taste was worth it Credit: Richard Walker Like Willy's, this takeaway on the far end of the seafront also keeps things traditional by frying everything in beef dripping. Taste wise, it's worth it, and the chips had a great colour. I was also impressed by the size of the fish – though at £11.20 I wouldn't expect anything less. The fish was slightly greasy, but the batter was crisp. SCORE: 7/10 The Anchor: £11.30 15 The Anchor has featured on television and the portion sizes were impressive Credit: Richard Walker WITH it featuring on TV's The One Show, I went into The Anchor with high expectations – and it almost met them. The portion size was good, and there was clean separation when I broke away the fish, indicating good batter. But I found the chips to be somewhat undercooked with too much fluff – though having beers on draught almost made up for it. SCORE: 6/10 Bamford's: £10.60 15 Bamfords had a unique taste, leaving the fish skin on - which won't be for everyone Credit: Richard Walker THIS small shop on the front had one of the best coloured chips on offer. The fish also delivered on taste. In its favour, for me, was the fact that the skin was still left on. Though I can appreciate not everyone is a fan of this, I think it adds a nice variety to the flavour, especially when you're tucking into it by the sea. SCORE: 7/10 Tunny Club: £8.95 15 The Tunny Club had another unusual approach, serving a fish and chip wrap Credit: Richard Walker I WAS impressed by this award-winning takeaway's unique twist on the classic dish – a fish and chip wrap, featuring battered haddock, chips, and tartar sauce all bundled together. It came in at a very reasonable price, and I was pleasantly surprised by the innovation, which made a pleasant change from your usual takeaway tray. SCORE: 8/10 Fish Pan: £9.85 15 Old-school seafront restaurant The Fish Pan drew a mixed response from Tom Credit: Richard Walker Established in 1960, this old-school seafront take- away unfortunately left me disappointed. I enjoyed the chips, and the batter looked and tasted good, too. However, the fish itself was far too greasy for me to enjoy, and was too tough as well, lacking the flakiness I had been told by the experts to be on the lookout for. SCORE: 5/10 Papa's: £10.18 15 Boasting to be Britain's Best Fish and Chips, Papa's did not quite live up to the claim Credit: Richard Walker SITTING in a prime position on the seafront, a giant sign announces this as Britain's Best Fish and Chips. Unfortunately, it wasn't on the day I visited. Although the chips were decent, the fish was oily and not as good as many of the others nearby. But at £10.18 for a regular meal, it was one of the better value shops along the front. SCORE: 5/10 Carol's Plaice: £9 15 Carol's Plaice is hidden away from the seafront and was once visited by a top soap star Credit: Richard Walker A FEW streets away from the beach in a more residential area, this small family-owned shop is not chasing the tourist crowd – but it offered plenty of bang for my buck. The chips were generously portioned and the batter was a standout. It's no wonder that Gary from Coronation Street – actor Mikey North – once paid a visit. SCORE: 8/10 Rennards: £9.15 15 The fish outperformed the chips at town centre restaurant Rennards Credit: Richard Walker THE offering from this town centre chippy was a decent size for the price, and the fish itself was tasty. The batter wasn't too bad either, though it could have done with crisping up a little bit more. Unfortunately, the chips were the let-down here, as they were pale, undercooked and overall of poor quality. SCORE: 5/10 Wackers: £10 15 There were no complaints with taste at Wackers, despite the very untraditional looking store Credit: Richard Walker THE understated plain brick frontage of this takeaway just off the main shopping street didn't fill me with buckets of hope. But at a tenner a portion, I couldn't complain. The batter had a good golden colour to it, and the chips tasted great with a lovely crispness on the outside. Top whack! SCORE: 8/10 North Bay Fisheries: £12.50 15 There was a queue for North Bay Fisheries despite the price, and the taste showed why Credit: Richard Walker THE large queue snaking out of the door proved why this establishment, situated on the opposite side of town, is one of the highest-rated chippies in Scarborough. The batter and chips all scored top marks, and the fish was tasty too with a more meaty texture. By far the most expensive takeaway I visited but the portion size was very generous. SCORE: 9/10 Catch 55: £10 15 Catch 55 delivered on taste, and could have scored higher with a bigger portion Credit: Richard Walker JUST one road back from the seafront, this smart establishment offered a regular meal for a reasonable tenner. The batter was some of the best I'd had, and the fish was also tasty. But although the chips were great, they were let down by the fact that there were not as many in my box as other shops had served me. SCORE: 7/10
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners risk £400 fine for putting one item in their bins during August
Experts have warned that households may be contaminating their waste collections with soil - and have revealed that councils are already starting to ban it from green waste bins UK households are facing potential fines for placing one particular item in their garden bins as new regulations loom. Local councils and authorities are prohibiting soil from green waste containers in preparation for fresh legislation being rolled out by the Labour government next year. "It's one of the most common mistakes we see," declared a representative from My Home Improvements. "Soil might look natural, but it causes major issues for councils trying to turn garden waste into compost. Even a little bit can ruin a whole batch". "Garden bins are not a catch-all for anything green. What feels natural to toss may be harmful to the environment, your community, or the composting process," the spokesperson continued. It comes after an expert revealed how to kill lawn weeds overnight without using chemicals "If you're unsure, always double-check before you throw something away. The five minutes it takes to look it up could save you a £400 fine and a big headache down the line." Households across the UK risk contaminating their refuse collections with soil, experts are cautioning, reports Birmingham Live. This development follows announced changes set to come into force next year, mandating homes to utilise four separate containers. The fresh regulations are due to commence from March 2026. The document titled 'Simpler Recycling in England: policy update' states that most residences and businesses will require four receptacles, which could include bags, wheelie bins, or stackable containers. Alongside soil restrictions, the Government website features guidance entitled"Prevent Japanese knotweed from spreading". The guidance states: "You must dispose of Japanese knotweed waste off-site by transferring it to a disposal facility that's permitted, e.g. a landfill site that has the right environmental permit. "You must prevent Japanese knotweed on your land from spreading into the wild and causing a nuisance. You could be fined up to £5,000 or be sent to prison for up to 2 years if you allow contaminated soil or plant material from any waste you transfer to spread into the wild." This indicates that trimming knotweed or excavating it and transporting it to your local household waste centre without the proper environmental permit could result in penalties or imprisonment. "You must not dispose of Japanese knotweed with other surplus soil or sell soil contaminated with Japanese knotweed as topsoil," the guidance continues.
Daily Record
16 hours ago
- Daily Record
Asda urges shoppers to return common household device due to 'fire risk'
The product has been recalled with Brits urged to stop using it "immediately". A UK-wide product recall has been announced on a common household device, with Brits being told to stop using the device 'immediately'. Due to an uncovered fire risk, all Goblin handheld cordless vacuums have been removed from shelves across the country. Households are being told to stop using the device as it was found that the battery in some units of the vacuum began to overheat, which could potentially cause a fire risk. The label of the faulty cordless vacuum has indicated it was "produced for Asda stores", leading the supermarket to advise shoppers to return it to their local store. However, shoppers will first need to check the site codes on their device, as only certain units will be taken back for a full refund or exchange, reports the Mirror. The model in question that could cause safety hazards is the GHV102W-20 model of the Goblin handheld cordless vacuum. A statement on the UK Government website reveals: "It has been identified that in some units of the Goblin handheld vacuum, the battery may overheat. This could pose a fire safety risk if left on charge and unattended." The statement goes on further to clarify that the vacuum "does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016". This specific Goblin vacuum comes with labels indicating it was created to be sold in Asda stores, meaning the major supermarket has had to swipe their existing stock off the shelf and urge customers to return to their local store for a refund or exchange through a product recall notice. Asda's website advises: "Stop using the unit and return it to your nearest ASDA store for a full refund or exchange. We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused. If you would like any further information, please contact Asda Customer Relations on 0800 952 0101." Customers who find the following site codes on their vacuum should immediately stop using the device and head to their closest Asda store: 15A.08.20.115 15A.10.21.181 15A.09.22.168 However, if shoppers find the site code 15A.09.22.168A then their device is not included in the product recall and is still safe to use. Previous Asda customers have left a mixture of reviews for the Goblin vacuum, with some saying it is easy to assemble and has a 'very good suction'. However, some did say they wouldn't recommend it for carpets or pets. One shopper said: "I find the suction very good but it doesn't stand up on its own. It comes with one bracket with a sticker on the back to stick to the wall to help it stand up.' While another person added: "No, you plug it into any socket with the provided plug, the instructions say it's best to remove all the fittings and just charge the top part of the hoover." This was followed by an unimpressed review, stating: "Doesn't pick up hardly anything and it's already broken. Only had it for 3 months." A fourth customer wrote: "I bought this at the weekend and I'm not happy with it at all. It doesn't work. Even put it on charge, it's not even charging and I am not happy about it at all." While a final shopper added: "Its easy to assemble but ive had it for months now and its actually stared spitting bits of dirt back out. So I wouldn't recommend it for carpet or pets!".
