UP to 9,000 more homes could be dumped across South Worcestershire - after a Government inspector said the current tally is not enough.

In the last few minutes planning inspector Roger Clews has published his views on the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) - a major growth blueprint earmarking land for 23,200 properties.

He says the housing figure is too low - and although the report leaves it to all three district councils to agree a higher one, suggests a benchmark of 25,300 to 32,000.

He also says the retail earmarked for the various towns across South Worcestershire is too much.

The findings have also been lambasted by politicians, with West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin calling it a "terrible day for local democracy" that "defies logic".

Unless all three councils can agree a new housing figure accepted by Mr Clews, the SWDP cannot be approved by the Government.

* For more on this story get your Worcester News tomorrow.