THE fight to stop developers building in the centre of Davenham has been backed by the parish council.

Councillors discussed resubmitted plans to redevelop the 1930s house and grounds at 19 Firth Fields at their latest meeting.

Developers want to turn the property into a six-bedroomed house and also build three new houses and a detached garage in its grounds.

This is a slightly altered version of plans submitted in June, which were withdrawn after public outcry.

Clr Arthur Wood said: “I think the view we came up with last time was that this is grossly over-developed – it loses the setting of the big house.

“It’s three metres away from the other house, which is just unbelievable.

“Anyone wanting a house that big would want space around it.”

He added: “These plans are totally out of character for the building.”

Residents and councillors originally objected to the plans on the grounds that it would create too much traffic in the narrow Firth Fields road, which is used as a route for children walking to Davenham CE Primary School and the before and after school clubs at the British Legion.

They also said the properties would destroy a wooded site that is home to 300-year-old beech trees, a colony of bats and a natural pond.

The new proposals include plans to fell 15 trees.

Davenham Parish Council decided to object to the new plans on similar grounds as the previous plans.