Plans to build two new houses in a patch of woodland  have been blocked by a government planning inspector, arguing the development would mean a ‘significant loss of trees’.

Housing developer Yeoman Homes wanted to build the two detached, four bedroom homes on a patch of woodland near the Braywick Roundabout, between Windsor Road and Ascot Road.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead refused to grant planning permission in November last year as it would mean the removal of ‘a large quantity of trees’ from the site.

But the developer appealed to the government’s planning inspectorate, arguing that a number of the trees were dead or dying.

It argued that the council had ‘never objectively assessed the site or provided any material to support their assertions on the health of the trees'. It also argued that the new houses would be 'still be screened from view by a layer of trees and vegetation'.

But the planning inspector dismissed the developers’ appeal. The inspector said the construction would mean ‘the core of the existing wooded site would be substantially removed’.

They also said the construction would have an ‘urbanising impact which would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the area’.

The appeal was dismissed on September 24.