Developers are amending plans for affordable homes in Micheldever in an attempt to preserve two trees.

Winchester Housing Trust wants to build four semi-detached homes on land at Dever Close.

Under the original plans a silver birch and an ash tree on the site would have been pruned to make way for the houses.

Micheldever resident, Graham Salvage, raised concerns about the homes being built so close to the trees.

"The effect of building the housing would be to risk killing both trees."

The proposed houses would have been built around 3.5 metres from the ash and birch.

City council member for Micheldever, Barry Lipscomb, shares Mr Salvage's concerns.

"Three and a half metres is nothing, relatively speaking.

"Nobody is trying to stop the development. It's a question of whether we really need to do it this way."

Mr Salvage and Mr Lipscomb intend to argue for the trees to be preserved when city planners meet on Wednesday, June 18th, to decide if the homes can be built.

They are concerned that a tree preservation order may not be granted, as the trees are not perfect specimens.

Said Mr Lipscomb: "If the trees die it will be to the loss of people nearby, and indeed, to those who would move into the new homes."

A city council planning spokesman said Winchester Housing Trust was amending its application.

He added that the council expected the trees would be given more room in the new site plan.

"The amendment to the application would take both trees beyond the minimum distance as recommended in the relevant British Standards document.

"Once the amended plans have been submitted we will consult with the residents, parish council, and local members."