A company registered in Harrow has been fined more than £26,000 after illegally felling 13 protected trees at a historic building in Chorleywood.
Agrawal Estate Ltd pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on 1 June 2026 to two offences relating to the removal of twelve Lawson’s Cypress trees and one Blue Atlas Cedar at The Court on Rickmansworth Road.
The trees were protected because the site falls within the Chorleywood Common Conservation Area. The offences took place between May 2024 and March 2025.
The court ordered the company to pay a £14,040 fine, a £2,000 victim surcharge and £10,000 towards the costs incurred by Three Rivers District Council in bringing the prosecution.
As part of the outcome, Tarun Agrawal, representing Agrawal Estate Ltd, also agreed in writing to plant 30 replacement trees at the site within six months.
The council launched legal action after discovering tree works had been carried out at The Court, a Grade II listed building in the conservation area. Under planning laws, owners must give the council six weeks’ written notice before felling protected trees of a certain size within a conservation area.
Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “Trees not only add character to a place, especially in a Conservation Area, but are also important for biodiversity and air quality. It was extremely disheartening to see so many trees illegally felled but I am very pleased to see those responsible held to account. We are sending a clear message that we and our communities will not tolerate this behaviour. The Court is in a Conservation Area for good reason, and the legal protections that apply to Conservations Areas must be upheld.”
Councillor Aidan Bentley, Lead Member for Climate Change & Sustainability, said: “These mature trees were precious, grown over many years and it is unacceptable that they were allowed to be destroyed. We are pleased with the result of this case, which is a demonstration of the council’s commitment to tree protection in Three Rivers district”
The Court was built between 1911 and 1912 for Sir George Alexander and was designed by architect J.D. Coleridge. The building is recognised nationally for its architectural and historical importance.
The property was badly damaged by fire in February 2025. Later that year, following reports of unauthorised demolition work, Three Rivers District Council issued a Temporary Stop Notice to prevent further activity.
A High Court Consent Order was granted in September 2025, helping to ensure the listed building remains protected from any further unauthorised works.
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