THE likely loss of protected trees have led to a planning appeal being dismissed.

In 2017 Bradford Council approved plans to build eight houses at Albion House, off Stockhill Road, Greengates.

Last year Wilkinson Homes applied to change this permission, and build an extra home on the site. It would be achieved by replacing one of the detached homes in the approved plans with two homes.

The Council refused those amended plans earlier this year, as it would require an extra five trees on the site to be felled - two of which are under a tree preservation order.

The company appealed this decision, and now a government planning inspector has backed the Council’s judgement.

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The appeal case said: "The purpose of seeking to increase the number of units on the site was predominantly related to the overall viability of the eight dwellings scheme not being at a level considered to be acceptable by the appellant."

It claimed the approved development of eight houses would "make a slight loss" for the applicant, and even if the extra house was approved "there would only be a small margin of profit."

It argued that the loss of the trees would be outweighed by the delivery of high quality new housing.

Planning Inspector Alison Partington said: “The loss of these visually prominent trees would have a significant adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area.

"Overall, I consider the benefits of the proposed development would be limited and the harm caused to the protected trees and the character and appearance of the area would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the modest benefits.”