WEST Midland Safari Park has been fined £7,500 and forced to pay costs of more than £12,000 after cutting down protected trees.

District Judge Bruce Morgan, at Kidderminster Magistrates Court, heard that a group of mature trees had been felled near the Wild River Rafting Ride without the consent of Wyre Forest District Council.

He was told there had been no consultation with the council about the trees being dead, dying or diseased and there had been no attempt since the trees had been felled to plant replacements. Mary Morgan, prosecuting for the council, said that a 26-metre high scots pine was destroyed by the construction of the ride, which had been sited about three metres from the tree.

Julian Salmon, counsel for the safari park, said that the ride had been built under a misapprehension about planning development rights. He explained that a park employee believed the trees were dead or dying and had felled them.

He said that an arboricultural consultant would advise on the future maintenance of the park’s trees and liaise with the council.

Mr Salmon said that following an appeal seeking retrospective planning permission for the rafting ride the ride might have to be taken down at a cost of £80,000.

Wendy Jackson, spokeswoman for the safari park, said: “We are working closely with the council to resolve some of the historical issues and we are looking forward to creating a world-class destination in the Wyre Forest region.”