WILTSHIRE Council has rejected proposals for a new community in Salisbury, after planners raised concern at the bulldozing of around half of Harnham Hill woodland.

The plan, put forward by developer PNH Properties, proposed to build 13 homes – complete with “living roofs” – on the green space area just off Bishops Drive.

However, council chiefs questioned the plan to fell 130 trees to make way for the homes, citing tree protection orders (TPOs) as two of the six points of their objection.

This application joins a growing list of proposals rejected for the site over the past three decades.

The latest refusal read: “The proposed development would result in the direct loss of approximately half of the Harnham Hill woodland.

“The proposal would also lead to indirect habitat loss by the effects of wind throw which would be exacerbated by removal of half the woodland and the instability of the shallow chalk soils on the site.

“Additionally, it is considered the proposal would also result in broader adverse ecosystem impacts/services: The woodland contributes more than just biodiversity, providing, for example, a carbon sink within the trees and soil.

“The loss of services has not been addressed by the applicant.”

Another point raised was that of drainage, with planners claiming the applicant had “failed to demonstrate” if the proposed development would “effectively drain” foul and surface water.

Nevertheless, as part of its application, PNH says it wanted to use the site to “increase biodiversity”, not destroy it.

The developer has been contacted for comment.

The rejection comes after local Bishop Drive residents banded together to fight the scheme, which they branded as “vandalistic”.

Member of the group Martin Smith said: “There are many people opposed to this development; the major objection is that it takes away almost half of the woodland.

“To cut down half of the trees is a very vandalistic approach.”