The planner

Our neighbour has purchased the small wood at the back of our house, which is in the green belt. He has since incorporated it into his garden, destroyed the undergrowth and cut down many of the protected trees. We have complained to the local council, but to no avail. What can we do? CB, by e-mail

Cutting down protected trees is a criminal offence. Your (unhelpful) council is the official body responsible for protecting the green belt, so you must go back to it and explain your concerns. The council’s officers will likely need evidence as to when the tree felling took place, so be prepared to give evidence in court if they instigate a prosecution for the breaches of the Tree Preservation Order. If this does not work, make a formal complaint to the council; if you still have no joy, lodge a complaint with the local government ombudsman.

Michael Haslam OBE is a past president of the Royal Town Planning Institute and a director of Michael Haslam Associates;hmhaslam@btopenworld.com

The builder

I would like to know what I can do about my wooden windows, which I stained a dark colour a number of years ago. I now want a more natural oak look. I have experimented with a number of colours, but nothing seems to look right. Have you any suggestions? LM, Tonbridge

For best results, strip off the existing stain and start again. That way, you should be able to get the natural oak effect you are looking for. Try Nitromors, a general-purpose, washable, nondrip paint and varnish remover that you can pick up in any DIY store or garden centre. It should strip away your tester colours and the underlying dark stain. You’ll need to wear protective gloves and glasses when using it.

Prepare the wood for the new colour by lightly sanding it, then rubbing clean with a cloth dipped in white spirit. When it is dry, apply your chosen wood stain (normally two coats). Test a small area first to ensure the colour is to your liking. Finally, for a superior finish, apply a good-quality yacht varnish.

Manuel Costa is a London-based builder whose family firm, MH Costa Construction, has been shortlisted for several awards; mhcostaconstruction.co.uk

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