Controversial plans for a three-home housing development on a site in the Twickenham Green Conservation Area have been thrown out.

Council officials have refused a planning application on the sensitive site following objections by councillors, the Friends of Twickenham Green, dozens of residents and conservation experts.

The scheme involved building two semi-detached three-bedroom homes, plus a single storey two-bedroom property on the site, known as the Backlands, which is behind the Prince Albert pub, Hampton Road.

Council officials have refused a planning application on the sensitive site following objections by councillors. Credit Richmond Council Planning.

The area was subjected to protests last year after the landowner was given permission to remove a number of trees on land seen by locals as an important corridor for wildlife, insects and bats.

The protests were supported by the Twickenham MP, Munira Wilson as well as Lib-Dem councillors and the leader of the Green party on Richmond Council, Richard Bennett.

The planning application was rejected by Council officials without a reference to the Planning Committee.

The scheme involved building two semi-detached three-bedroom homes, plus a single storey two-bedroom property on the site. Credit: Richmond Council Planning.

Among the main reasons for refusal were concerns for local biodiversity, in particular bats species, and an over development of the site, causing 'substantial harm' to the Twickenham Green Conservation Area and the property at 24 Hampton Road, which is listed as a Building of Townscape Merit.

Other reasons for refusal included a lack of evidence of a proper flood risk assessment; a failure to agree a contribution to borough affordable housing; and, significantly, the absence of a suitable survey to assess the impact of the scheme on a remaining towering eucalyptus tree, which is subject to a tree preservation order.

The official conservation body, Habitats & Heritage (H&H), had raised 'strong objections' to the development.

Environment Officer for the Friends of Twickenham Green, Howard Roberts, welcomed the Council's decision, saying: "The comprehensive statement from planning stated eight key areas for the rejection of the application. These included lack of biodiversity, overdevelopment of the site, fear of damage to the Eucalyptus under a Tree Protection Order, among many other reasons."

He thanked people who had objected to the scheme, adding: "Without your help and vigilance this could have had a very different conclusion."

The owner can appeal the decision.