A DEVELOPER has been given the green light for the second141 home phase of a new 450 house estate despite concerns about tree felling.

Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee approved the detailed scheme by Blackburn Waterside Regeneration Ltd for the site of the former Sappi Paper Mill in Livesey Branch Road, Feniscowles.

Its plans had been revised in the light of objections from residents in nearby Kingsley Close over loss of privacy and the felling of mature canalside trees.

Cllr Derek Hardman, who represents Livesey with Pleasington ward, said: “There has been a lot of concern about the original plans and although we are losing some trees further down I think this has been a good compromise solution. We retained a lot of trees and also removed the three-storey properties overlooking the existing houses."

Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Browne, like Cllr Hardman and member of the planning committee, said: "The problem with us in this borough especially where new property is concerned is we do not take into account the tree problem.

"We have got to stop this and build houses round the trees. I think we must have a policy about this council."