TREES which were protected when planning approval was granted for new houses in Bentham are now under threat from the developer.

Bentham Town Council has objected strongly to an application from Ian Godfrey Developments to fell 12 trees and crown lift a further 11 to make way for a detached house at The Malham, 15 High Croft, Bentham.

The trees are all covered by Tree Preservation Orders, which means they can't be touched without permission from Craven District Council's planning committee.

The town council heard that nine pines, two sycamores and a beech tree faced the axe.

Some were dead, but others were earmarked for the chop simply because they would be too close to the proposed house.

Coun John Pilkington told members: "When the planning application came in for the development there was a lot of discussion about the trees and some were protected.

"When the developers were deciding the details they knew exactly where the trees were, so why they have planned dwellings so close to the trees I don't know.

"There were long discussions at the time about how many trees it would be realistic to save. Quite a lot were felled."

Coun Gareth Adams felt there was no problem felling the dead trees, but said the rest should stay.

And Coun Tim Stannard added: "They knew these trees had preservation orders. I would like to object to the cutting down of any unnecessary trees."

Members agreed to recommend that Craven District Council gets its own report from a tree consultant. They also recommended that the planning committee refuse permission.

Meanwhile, feelings are believed to be running high in Bentham over the threat to the trees.

The town does not have many mature trees like the ones on this site and a number of residents have said they are writing to object.