Springfield Properties had sought the go-ahead to build 16 houses at Stonecross Hill/Waulkmill Grove.

But the plan, which would have involved felling an area of mature pine trees, attracted objections from a number of nearby householders, some of whom addressed a special meeting of Moray Council’s planning and regulatory services committee.

In addition to the loss of the trees and a children’s play area, objectors raised a number of other concerns including loss of amenity, overdevelopment of the site, parking and road safety.

Planning officers had recommended approval of the application and said that clear felling the trees and developing the site for low density affordable housing would create a safe and welcoming area that would benefit both existing residents and occupants of the new housing.

However, Councillor Graham Leadbitter, seconded by Councillor Douglas Ross, moved refusal of the application on the grounds that the benefits of the proposed development did not outweigh the value of the existing green space and that it was not an acceptable departure from the site’s environmental designation.

There was no counter proposal and the application was consequently rejected.