NEW homes on the site of a large, detached, Weymouth property may have been scuppered by Dorset Council deciding to list trees in the grounds to protect them.

One of the trees, an Oak, is exactly on the spot where a detached four-bed home had been proposed.

The Tree Protection Order was only made after the authority learned of a proposed planning application for the site.

The listing has led to Dorset councillors to reject an application for two homes in the grounds and the conversion of a former stable block into a holiday let.

The families who inherited the home from their parents told councillors that they could have felled the trees prior to the council listing them, but chose not to - and remain keen to protect the site’s nature and their former family home.

The application for 528 Littlemoor Road would have kept the main house in place with two almost identical four-bed properties built either side with a slightly reconfigured vehicle access to the site, although listed trees are now also on the way of that alteration.

Dorset Council’s tree officer lodged an objection to the housing plans, telling planning officers: “Construction of the proposed dwellings will require the removal of a mature Oak along with more modest sized Yew, Cherry and Apple,” adding that a reconfigured proposal which respected the trees might be acceptable.

Weymouth Civic Society had written to the council warning about the risk of trees and shrubs through developing the site.

Weymouth councillor Louise Bown (Lib Dem Radipole) told an area planning committee that it was sad for councillors to refuse the application, as it stands, but said they had no alternative in view of the risk to some of the trees.

“It’s a lovely application…I like everything about it, apart from the tree, but I am sure there could be a solution,” she said.

Pics and illustrations The site location Proposed plans for two new homes either side of the existing property The existing large detached house Where the tree protection orders apply