CONTROVERSIAL plans to fell a "wonderful" row of trees along a main road in Christchurch have been thrown out by council planners.

The application to cut down 62 pine trees that run between a strech of the A35 Lyndhurst Road and the Hoburne Estate were refused by Christchurch Borough Council.

In reaching the decision to refuse the proposed work, a planning officer said the reasons requesting consent were not sufficient to outweigh the amenity value of the trees.

Hoburne Developments' tree report from consultancy firm Treecall stated the 44 Monterey pines earmarked in the removal scheme were "likely to be around 120 years of age".

A decision notice confirming refusal of the application written by Jane Lynch, Christchurch Borough Council's head of planning, says: "The council considers that the line of trees make a valuable contribution to the landscape and are a significant landscape asset.

"The council have concluded that the wording of the application is ‘the large scale felling and replacement planting’ as set out in the conclusion of the submitted report.

"In determining this application the council balanced the obvious amenity the trees offer with the reasons provided for requesting consent to fell.

"On this occasion the reasons stated, including: the trees are in the final phase of their safe useful lifespan; the Monterey Pines have become prone to shedding large branches; the trees will require ongoing remedial work; the owners intend to apply for a change of use to incorporate the land on which the trees stand into adjacent gardens, are not sufficient to outweigh the amenity value and the application fails.

"In addition the quality and scale of the replanting proposals will never replace the amenity that has been lost."

After initial reports in the Daily Echo reporting the details of the application, a backlash ensued across Christchurch.

Ward councillors said they had been inundated with residents getting in touch to voice their concerns.

At least one resident wrote to Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope in an attempt to highlight their fears if the felling was approved.

Speaking to the Daily Echo before the application was refused, Mayor of Christchurch Lesley Dedman said: “We definitely cannot let them cut those trees down.

“The purpose of the trees was to protect the houses on the estate from the busy road. If this goes ahead it will be terrible."

West Highcliffe ward councillor David Jones added: "In my opinion these trees make a wonderful gateway into Christchurch.”

It was believed a decision on the application would be made by Christchurch Borough Council's planning committee based on information on the authority's website, but the refusal was made under delegation to officers.