TWO large advertising boards at North Site will have to be taken down after a retrospective planning application was refused.

House builder Persimmon Homes put up the green and white signs on Leigh Sinton Road in July 2005 and applied for planning permission in September, following complaints from residents.

Persimmon's South Midlands land director Steve Roberts said the firm was "surprised and disappointed" with Malvern Hills District Council's decision. The firm is in the process of clearing buildings from the Leigh Sinton Road site, in preparation for constructing an estate of up to 390 homes.

However, MHDC has given formal protection to "prominent and mature" trees in advance of the massive housing development.

The move comes just weeks after a neighbouring resident protested at the clearance of trees and bushes at the site.

The council has taken advice from the Forestry Authority and has placed a tree preservation order (TPO) on specific trees. It means the trees must be retained as part of any development.

Details of the TPOs are available for public inspection at the Customer Service Centre, Malvern Library, Graham Road. They will also be shortly posted on the council website, www.malvernhills.gov.uk.