A COUNCILLOR at the centre of a tree-felling row says he has no intention of resigning despite being found guilty of breaching planning regulations.

Hugh Laing (Lib Dem), 64, of Salts Lane, Maidstone, has been successfully prosecuted by Maidstone council for his part in cutting down a protected willow tree bordering his and a neighbour's garden.

But the ward member for Loose, who at the time of the incident was the council's cabinet member for planning and transport policy, claims the whole affair has been blown out of proportion. He said: "It hit the national news but at the end of the day it has come down to cutting one branch which is arguably a nuisance."

Cllr Laing appeared at Maidstone Magistrates' Court this week along with his son-in-law, Peter Saxby, 29, of Middlesex Road, Shepway. Mr Saxby pleaded guilty to cutting the willow tree down, but Cllr Laing pleaded not guilty to a charge of lopping the tree.

The court heard how Laing asked his son-in-law to lop the bow of the tree because it was impeding the growth of a quince tree in his garden. Mr Saxby went beyond the instructions and hacked back the whole tree with a chainsaw, claiming he thought he was being helpful.

Cllr Laing told the magistrates: "I was very upset when I found out what had happened. It wasn't what I intended and on that basis I reported the whole incident."

The felling, which took place last October, sparked a public row between Laing and his neighbour, David Fair. He was suspended and then resigned from his cabinet post and faced calls for his resignation as a councillor altogether, but always protested his innocence.

The court heard how the willow was in the Loose Valley Conservation Area and that planning consent was required for any pruning, unless the tree was dangerous, dead or a nuisance.

Cllr Laing argued that the tree was a nuisance because it was harming his quince tree as well as being a dangerous obstacle. He and his wife had both injured themselves trying to walk underneath it, the court heard.

Cllr Laing was convicted and fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of £500. Mr Saxby was fined £700 and ordered to pay costs of £300.

Speaking after the hearing, the councillor said he was considering appealing against the decision. He added: "I am not considering resigning as a councillor as I consider this is a minor offence."