Sukh Chamdal co-founded Cake Box with his cousin in 2008 (Picture: Russell Sach)
The millionaire co-founder of Cake Box is facing criminal charges over the felling of at least 132 protected trees.
Sukh Chamdal, 61, allegedly carried out the works between March 1 and 18 2021, in a woodland at Debden Hall, in Loughton, near Epping Forest, Essex.
He wanted rid of the trees to make way for a new property, The Telegraph understands.
But these trees were protected and now Epping Forest District Council has brought a case against him and four others, the newspaper reported.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court and the case was sent to crown court, scheduled for later this month.
If found guilty of breaching a Tree Preservation Order, Chamdal faces the prospect of an unlimited fine.
The trees were allegedly felled in a woodland at Debden Hall (circled) in Loughton, Essex (Picture: Google Maps)
The works reportedly took place near Epping Forest (Picture: Getty)
It is unclear what trees were under the protective order but a local authority in England can apply it to ‘specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands in the interests of amenity’.
Cake Box declined to comment while legal proceedings are ongoing. Metro.co.uk has contacted Epping Forest District Council.
Chamdal, who started his career with a family business selling Indian sweets and cakes, used a £20,000 grant to create Cake Box with his cousin Pradip Dass in 2008.
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The inspiration to sell egg-free cakes came after Chamdal’s daughter asked for a birthday cake without any ‘dead chickens’ in it.
Cake Box has since grown into a franchise and online business, boasting a revenue of £34.8 million and £17.2 million in gross profit as of March.
The company now has 205 shops across Britain and Chamdal said earlier this year he wants to almost double this figure with 400 stores.
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The trees were reportedly protected by a preservation order.