James Barney, 35, faced angry resistance in April last year when neighbors were woken by the sounds of excavators felling trees at Scorey’s Copse, Horton Heath. Around 53 protected oak trees were felled despite protests from councilors and residents and then attempts were made to set them on fire. But now a court heard how Barney planned to build two holiday homes on the plot he had recently bought. READ MORE: Appearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, Barney, who is said to have had “access to a rich sea of funding”, said he did not know about the Tree Preservation Order (TPO) when he cut them down. But barrister Edmund Robb told the court: “Mr Barney had plans for the site – possible holiday homes – and has stated throughout that he believed the site was not protected by a TPO after checking the ‘magic maps’ . “It’s a protected forest – he could have known, the TPOs are readily available online for members of the public to find, but he didn’t.” Trees felled at Scorey’s Copse, Horton Heath. Photo: Michelle Marsh. Mitigating, Scott Stemp said that when Barney was told about the protection, he “didn’t believe it” – until he was sent the TPO on the morning of April 13, when work then stopped. “I would suggest that he was a man who was belligerent in wanting to be shown a copy of the TPO,” he added. District Judge Peter Greenfield said: “I do not accept that Mr Barney was not a planning expert and did not know what was going on. Trees felled at Scorey’s Copse, Horton Heath. “He bought the land with the intention of developing either a large house or two holiday rentals – or otherwise, to make a profit. “The damage caused concern to members of the public and there was apparently a disturbance in the forest.” He added that Barney, who lives with his parents in a £2.3m house in nearby Bursledon, has “somewhat opaque” finances and that he “can pay whatever fine the court imposes on him”. Left to right: Cllr Nicholas Couldrey, Cllr Rupert Kyrle, Cllr Michelle Marsh at Scorey’s Copse. Barney was fined £50,000 after pleading guilty to breaching tree conservation regulations. He was also ordered to pay Eastleigh Borough Council’s £17,841 court costs and a £190 victims’ surcharge – bringing the total to £68,031. He was also given a tree replacement notice by the council – meaning he must plant 650 new trees to replace those he uprooted. Message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article – we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Joining the Echo means you get unlimited access to the latest Saints news, features and coverage – all with an advert-light website. You’ll also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don’t just take my word for it – sign up today. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News – Breaking News and Events on Facebook Follow the latest court and crime news in our exclusive group by searching for Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook
