THE case against a businessman accused of contravening tree preservation regulations will go to trial.

Mark Andrew King, of Watery Lane, Newchurch, entered not guilty pleas on four charges of causing a contravention of tree preservation regulations by cutting down, uprooting or destroying trees at Merrie Gardens, Lake, when he first appeared before the court in June 2019.

The Isle of Wight Crown Court heard last week that a resolution in the case had not been found between the Isle of Wight Council and Mr King, in the past year, so the case against Mr King, 62, will now proceed to trial.

A pre-trial hearing was set for October 31.