PROPOSALS have been tabled to bulldoze an area of Salisbury woodland to build 13 homes – despite planners having rebuffed schemes on the site for nearly three decades.

Yet, applicant PNH Properties believes its plan to be different, with illustrations showing the homes would have “living roofs”, and would incorporate the woodland – as well as its trees, into the new neighbourhood.

It adds that the homes for the proposed site, off Bishops Drive in East Harnham, are “modular”, which means they are created away from the site to certain specifications and then brought in. The homes would also be “affordable”.

However, documents do not indicate how many trees would have to be felled.

The application has also raised concerns from locals.

Paul Dorey, of Bishops Drive, said: “The proposal to shoehorn in 13 houses is totally incompatible in an area of Salisbury dominated by four-bedroom detached properties.

“Residents in Bishops Drive, Folly Close, Harnwood Road, Lywood Close, and Old Blandford Road will feel that their unique living environment will be lost and that can only mean a reduction in the attraction and values of living in this beautiful area.”

He added: “Trees and their environmental advantages must not be destroyed by the profit only minded opportunistic developers just making maximum gain from an unsuitable parcel of land.”

Another to object was Jon and Camilla Barlow, of Salisbury and Wilton Swifts, raised concern about the site’s provision for wildlife, and what could be lost if trees are felled.

This is also not the first time the site has been targeted for housing.

In the past 30 years, four applications - of which the biggest was for five homes - have been refused by Wiltshire Council, with an appeal also being rebuffed.

In 2010, planners indicated that the area of land was protected by a Woodland Tree Protection Order for its “amenity value”.

Nevertheless, the applicant says it wants to use the site to “increase biodiversity”, not destroy it.

In its planning statement to the council, it notes under a header of “Vision” that “the woodland is to be reinstated as native woodland offering maximum benefit to wildlife, whilst contributing to the corridors and wildlife refuge lacking south of the northern scarp of Harnham Hill”.

A woodland management scheme is also proposed of the plans are approved.

Currently, the proposals are in consultation phase, with public thoughts sought until May 9.

To have a say, visit planning.wiltshire.gov.uk citing reference: 19/02434/OUT.