A call to protect “limited urban woodland” has been made, despite recent plans to cut down trees being refused.

Jubliee Wood in Gaywood now has a new owner, who applied to West Norfolk Council to cut down trees on the site.

Now, a councillor has called for a tree preservation order to be enforced permanently, stopping the demolition of any trees on the site.

It comes after the proposal, submitted on September 26, called to remove as much as 80% of some tree species, including apple and cherry.

The woodland owner also wanted to remove 20% of the site’s silver birch trees and 805 of its bushes.

The plans, which have now been refused, proved unpopular among residents, as more than 150 people expressed objections to the tree-felling.

Now, Cllr Rob Colwell, who represents the Gaywood area on West Norfolk and Norfolk County Councils, says despite the refusal, the battle is not over yet to protect trees on the site north of Elvington.

He says that members of the public must remain “vigilant” to future planning applications that could be brought forward.

Cllr Colwell said: “We need to protect the limited urban woodland we have left.

“The Covid period made us all realise how important these green spaces are near where we live.

“I will do all I can to support the community and continue our fight to preserve and enhance nature locally. The tree preservation order must continue here.”

West Norfolk Council’s planning committee is set to meet on February 2 to decide on whether a tree preservation order on the site should be made permanent.