A PRESTIGIOUS prep school will face no further penalties for creating the perfect breeding ground for disease spreading beetles which led to the destruction of more than a dozen elm trees.

Experts traced the recent outbreak of Dutch Elm Disease carrying beetles to a log pile left in the grounds of the Brighton College affiliated St Christopher’s School in New Church Road, Hove.

Fourteen trees were chopped down from around the Westbourne Street area of Hove earlier this month as “a matter of urgency” to prevent the further spread of the disease.

Anyone who fails to comply with any requirement under the Dutch Elm Disease (Local Authorities) Order 1984 can be liable to a fine of up to £1,000.

Council officers have said they do not believe that punishment is the best way of ensuring future cooperation and protection of the city’s rare elm collection – a move that has been questioned by some.

Valerie Paynter, founder of SaveHove, said: “That school should pay a price for what they have done.

“Fourteen mature elm trees is a massive loss to the city and at the very least they should be made to pay to replace them."

Nigel Furness, council candidate at the last election, said: "I don't buy that as an approach at all and I shall be asking questions about this at council.

"A real example should be set."

Former Central Hove ward councillor Christopher Hawtree said: “The coming removal of the one at the top of the road by the Post Office will be grievous - and who knows if further trees will die?

“There has been no explanation of how the firm which cut down those on the school’s property left the logs there.

“Meanwhile, I hope that the planting of new trees will proceed as soon as possible, according to the season.

"It is a joy to look out at these trees - and think of those who planted them a century ago.

"We owe it to them and those who come after to make sure that the great Elm collection continues - and well done to the council’s trees department for their assiduous work on the Elms these past decades."

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said the authority was not looking to pursue further action against the owners of the private land where the logs were found.

He added: “Our concern is saving elms.

“To best achieve this we need the cooperation of our residents and we believe we are less likely to get this cooperation if we pursue a policy of confrontation, naming and shaming or punishment.”

No one from St Christopher’s was available for comment during the summer holidays.