Photo courtesy West Sussex County Council

A large oak tree fell into the rear of a home in Bewbush near Crawley in Saturday’s strong winds.  

The tree fell through the roof and into the first floor of the house at 7.30 am.  A neighbouring property sustained roof damage.  Crawley firefighters attended the scene together with the aerial ladder platform from Horsham and the fire service’s Technical Rescue Unit. Tree surgeons and structural engineers also attended.

An occupant of the house was treated at the scene by the ambulance service for a non-serious head injury.

A man from South Godstone has been convicted for failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice.  

Michael Leaver appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court last Monday and was fined £650 .  Last August, Tandridge District Council issued a planning enforcement notice to Mr Leaver requiring him to demolish a timber barn which had been built without planning permission, however the barn was not demolished during the three month timeframe.  

The Council’s advocate confirmed to the Court that Mr Leaver must remove the barn and if he wanted to build a new one, he would have to apply for planning permission.

Police in East Grinstead are trying to solve a mystery at a local cafe which has been targeted for thefts of cooking oil.  

The Rumblin Tums cafe in The Parade in London Road has experienced many thefts of drums containing used cooking oil over the past nine years; the most recent incident being on 20th February.  The estimated total loss to the cafe owners is almost £19,000. The oil drums have been taken in the early hours of the morning from the rear yard at the cafe. They have been stored there as waste waiting legitimate removal after use.

Sussex Police have said there has been no fixed pattern to the thefts so it has been difficult to establish information about any suspects or vehicles.

Reigate MP Crispin Blunt says he wants an independent examination into the causes of recent earthquakes in the area.

Despite saying there is no conclusive evidence linking the recent tremors and oil drilling in Brockham – he would like further reassurances.

Last year the British Geological survey concluded there was no connection between local oil activities and earth tremors – saying it has been going on for many years without any such effect.