The order in Hunstanton was imposed last year to protect the amenity value of two pine, two lime and three sycamore trees in the grounds of the Catholic church in Sandringham Road.

West Norfolk Development Control Board will hear sycamores are seen as having great value in the Hunstanton landscape as they are one of few trees to grow successfully in the salty and windy local climate.

The church is objecting to the order on grounds including its wish to carry out developments to fund church community facilities. It argues that some of the protected trees are poor quality and overcrowded, and that new planting could mitigate their loss.

One resident has called for the trees to be retained as long as they are in a safe condition.

A report to the meeting concludes that all the trees with the possible exception of one sycamore are worth retaining. Pending the outcome of an appeal against the preservation orders on four of the trees, modified confirmation of the order is proposed.

The Heacham preservation order applies to a number of trees in the grounds of The Poplars in Station Road. The property is currently not in residential use and could be demolished to make way for new housing. Losing the trees is said to be likely to have a major effect on the street scene and neighbouring properties.

The property owner objects to the order on the grounds that it could include poor quality trees, that few of the trees have any intrinsic value and that the street scene could be improved by opening up and landscaping the site.

Heacham Parish Council, the parish tree warden and two residents support the order. They feel the trees are long established, visually important and important for wildlife, especially as other trees have already been lost in previous development of the grounds.

The board is recommended to confirm protection for 14 trees, including sycamore, whitebeam, false acacia, lime and evergreen oak trees, six pines and three yews.