A property developer has been fined more than £13,000 after unlawfully felling protected trees in a designated Conservation Area in Osterley.
Published: Wednesday, 25th June 2025
A Hounslow property developer has been fined more than £13,000 by Willesden Magistrates Court after unlawfully felling protected trees in a designated Conservation Area in Osterley, in a serious breach of planning and environmental regulations.
The case relates to a property on Wood Lane, Osterley, where Kulwant (Kelly) Singh Garcha, 71, instructed workmen in 2024 to clear the garden and fell mature trees — without applying for consent from the Council, as is required for any tree works in a conservation area. All trees in such areas are automatically protected.
In an apparent attempt to conceal the offence, the trees were cut down and their root system was methodically removed, to leave no traces of the trees.
Despite pleading not guilty, Mr Garcha was found guilty by the Court and fined £6,000, and ordered to pay additional council costs and a victim surcharge bringing the total to £13,400.
The felling coincided with a planning application submitted for the development of five flats at the property. The application included car parking proposals believed to have motivated the illegal clearance of trees.
Cllr Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development, said:
I would like to thank Cllr Tony Louki for bringing this case to our attention, as soon as alerted by neighbours on Wood Lane. Our residents – including local ward councillors – play a vital role in safeguarding their neighbourhoods, and their vigilance is often the first step in holding those who break the rules to account.
This was a clear and unacceptable breach of planning control in one of our valued Conservation Areas. Trees are not just part of the character of places like Osterley – they are vital for biodiversity, air quality, and local wellbeing.
The Council has a firm policy on protecting our natural environment, and we take legal action against those who try to flout the rules. This prosecution sends a strong message: illegal tree felling will not be tolerated. Developers and landowners must respect the law – and the communities they operate in.
The Council is committed to protecting and enhancing biodiversity across the borough and supports the Government’s approach to ensuring developments contribute positively to the environment. The Council monitors unauthorised activity and encourages residents to report any suspected illegal tree works to our Planning Enforcement team.
