Tory party donor Sir Henry Keswick, 82, faces probe over claims he chopped down trees

Tory party donor Sir Henry Keswick, 82, faces probe over claims he chopped down trees without permission at his listed Wiltshire mansion

  • Neighbours wrote a letter to Wiltshire Council to express their objection 
  • Sir Henry Keswick applied for a triple garage so staff can park their cars 
  • The application was approved but the Council said it will investigate the claims 

A Tory party donor is facing a council investigation over claims he chopped down trees without consent at his listed 280-year-old mansion.

Businessman Sir Henry Keswick, 82, applied to Wiltshire Council for permission to build a ‘triple garage’ for staff parking at Oare House near Marlborough, Wiltshire.

But his neighbours claim he chopped down trees without permission and wrote a letter to the council to object. 

Now the council has said it will investigate whether any trees were felled without consent at the property that was built in 1740. 

Neighbours  claim Sir Henry Keswick has felled trees without permission at his mansion

The 280-year-old mansion is located at Oare near Marlborough, Wiltshire

The 280-year-old mansion is located at Oare near Marlborough, Wiltshire

Sir Henry, a former owner of The Spectator, and retired as chairman of the family-run Hong Kong conglomerate Jardine Matheson in December 2018 at the age of 80.

Neighbours wrote in a letter to the council: ‘Multiple trees have recently been felled around the proposed site without any obvious sign of consent being sought.

‘Could this be investigated and assurance given no further felling at the site will happen?’ 

Sir Henry’s application was recommended for approval by Wiltshire Council planning officers.

But their report said: ‘No records have been found for works to trees within the conservation area at the site and the application details do not include any information regarding the felling of any nearby trees.

‘This matter should therefore be raised with the planning enforcement team.’

Sir Henry Keswick's planning application for a 'triple garage' at Oare near Marlborough

Sir Henry Keswick’s planning application for a ‘triple garage’ at Oare near Marlborough

The planning application was made so staff can park their cars outside their homes

The planning application was made so staff can park their cars outside their homes 

The council has confirmed its officers will look into the neighbours’ claims.

It said: ‘Tree felling was not included within the application submission.

‘The planning enforcement team have been informed as is the normal course of action when a third party comment on a planning application refers to potential unauthorised works.

‘The enforcement team will make contact with the applicant to investigate the situation’.  

Mail Online has not been able to reach Sir Henry for comment.