Oh Nora! A £9,000 fine

Jun 25 2002 By Jane Yelland, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Nora Batty

A HOUSING developer has been fined £9,000 - after illegally chopping down Nora Batty's trees!

Gleeson Homes pleaded guilty to cutting down two willow trees and a sycamore tree in a conservation area in Hollowgate, Holmfirth, in January.

The trees have been immortalised in TV comedy series Last Of The Summer Wine for 30 years, appearing at the back of the house occupied by the infamous character, Nora Batty, played by actress Kathy Staff.

The case was brought against the Sheffield firm at Huddersfield Magistrates' Court.

Mr Geoff Bell, prosecuting for Kirklees Council, said: "The site in Hollowgate next to the river is of particular relevance in that the trees are well known to locals and visitors, being at the back of the home of Nora Batty in Last of the Summer Wine.

"They were effectively part of the set and therefore a huge tourist attraction."

Mr Bell said tree surgeons employed by Gleeson began felling trees in Hollowgate at the start of this year.

When Elaine Beardsall, owner of the Toll House Bookshop in Holmfirth, saw them start on the willow and sycamore trees she rushed out and spoke to the site foreman. He told her the firm had permission.

Ms Beardsall tried unsuccessfully to speak to Kirklees Council's tree officer, Jim Macdonald, but spoke to Royston Rogers, president of the Holme Valley Business Association, and her local MP.

Mr Bell said Mr Rogers visited the site and spoke to the foreman, who again said the company had consent for the work.

The foreman said the work would stop until the matter was resolved- but continued after Mr Rogers had left, said Mr Bell.