COUNCILLORS went against their officer’s advice this week, when they turned down a planning application for four new chalet bungalows to be built in Manea because of concerns about trees on the plot.

A officer’s report put before Wednesday’s planning committee said plans for the site on land north east of 9 Park Road were acceptable if a raft of 16 conditions were observed - including a tree survey and provision for foul and surface water drainage were put in place.

The report said three unhealthy horse chestnut trees had been among trees already removed from the land, but all remaining trees are currently protected.

Agent Peter Humphrey told the meeting that builders would address any biodiversity aspects raised by the county council, but said he believed there were not many reptiles on the site.

But Councillor Jan French said the plans should be turned down, because tree roots would not withstand the proposed development, and trees with a tree preservation order would be damaged.

The committee back Cllr’s French’s call for refusal, also citing the piecemeal nature of the development. Councillor Philip Hatton said: “I feel we are losing an opportunity to develop the site with proper roads and services, if we allow this piecemeal development,”