A BID to protect environmentally sensitive woodland on the edge of a North Yorkshire market town is being made after fears the land could be developed.

A provisional preservation order has already been put on trees south of Burton House, Masham, near Ripon, by Harrogate Borough Council.

Planning officer Jane Lurcuck is asking members of the area planning committee to firm up the order when they meet next Tuesday.

Planning officers moved to protect the trees after an outline application for a home in the area.

In her report to the planning committee Miss Lurcuck said: "The loss of these trees would have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the countryside."

At an earlier planning meeting, an application to build in the area was refused.

Meanwhile Masham Parish Council wanted a report on the trees from the Forestry Commission, to assess their age.

But the commission told the borough council it had no interest in the woodland.

Owners of the woodland wrote to the borough council because they were concerned the area also included shrubs and hedges and wanted a full inventory of the trees.

They disagreed that the trees were an important visual feature.

The area is classed as woodland with good ground cover, including bluebells and campions, through to shrubs and higher canopy trees.

Miss Lurcuck said the site is diverse with a high environmental value.