A MARCH man has been refused permission to fell more than half the 55 trees behind his home – on what was formerly a derelict poultry site- to make way for five executive style houses.

Hilton Fisher was told the proposed development “would represent the irreparable loss of existing trees, hedgerows and other landscaping features.”

Fenland District Council Planning Committee accepted their officers’ views that the proposals be rejected.

Councillors were also concerned that Mr Fisher had only brought forward part of the site behind Orchard Lodge, Jobs Lane, to avoid having to sign a section 106 agreement. Had he proposed using the whole site and building more houses he would have been required to contribute to local education or other community needs through the 106 planning gain legislation.

The council’s arboriculture officer described the loss of trees on the site as “significant” and nine residents also argued allowing the development.

The county council’s archaeology team also had concerns about the housing, claiming the site lies “in an area of high archaeological activity”

Their spokesman said: “We consider the site should be subject to a programme of archaeological investigation and recommend that this work should be commissioned and undertaken at the expense of the developer.”

Council officers, in recommending its refusal also noted that “anecdotal evidence would indicate an over supply of executive dwellings for sale in the area.”

They claimed that by not utilising the full potential of the site Mr Fisher was proposing an unacceptable “piecemeal form of development.”