A parish council is at loggerheads with Broads officials over plans to protect a collection of willow trees along a river bank close to one of the best-known landmarks on the waterways.

The Broads Authority (BA) has issued a provisional protection order for the trees growing next to Potter Heigham bridge, a 600-year-old river crossing known to be notoriously difficult to pass under.

The willows grow on land that was once the location of the Old Bridge Hotel - a 19th century pub that burnt down in 1991.

The Willow Trees lie along the river bank next to the bridge, on land where the old bridge Hotel once stoodThe Willow Trees lie along the river bank next to the bridge, on land where the old bridge Hotel once stood (Image: Google)

This land has become hotly contested in recent years and has been the focus of a lengthy planning dispute between the landowner, who wants to rebuild the hotel, and the BA.

Nick Mackmin failed in his attempts to gain permission to build holiday lets and a restaurant on the site after it went to the Planning Inspectorate - the government body which presides over planning disputes.

The need to remove the trees was a key factor in the government officials refusing the plans, believing they "play an important role in the landscape."

A photograph of a postcard depicting the Old Bridge Hotel in the 1950sA photograph of a postcard depicting the Old Bridge Hotel in the 1950s (Image: Robin Richardson)

Subsequently, the BA is seeking to protect the trees from future development and has placed them under protection, which means permission must be sought for any work.

However, Repps with Bastwick Parish Council is seeking to block these new rules and has objected to the Tree Protection Order.

The willow trees in Repps with Bastwick, on land where the Old Bridge Hotel once wasThe willow trees in Repps with Bastwick, on land where the Old Bridge Hotel once was (Image: Google)

Parish councillors have claimed the trees do not "contribute to the wider amenity of the site" and they worry the roots are damaging the river bank.

But BA officials dispute this and say the trees can be managed to avoid the banks being harmed and they believe they help enhance the landscape.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The site is close to Potter Heigham Bridge, a scheduled monumentThe site is close to Potter Heigham Bridge, a scheduled monument

The move comes as a fresh application has been lodged to gain a lawful development certificate to rebuild the Old Bridge Hotel.

It appears Mr Mackmin is trying a different tactic by attempting to get different planning permission after his previous attempts failed. 

But if the TPO is confirmed, it could scupper these plans.

BA members will make a decision after inspecting the site.