A FORMER poultry building in open countryside will be replaced with an agricultural worker's dwelling.

The scheme at Lincomb Farm in Crossway Green, near Stourport, was approved by Wychavon District Council's planning committee yesterday (Thursday, May 28).

Work on the new three-bedroom, single-storey house will involve part-demolition and part-refurbishment of the redundant poultry building.

Committee members were divided by the application, arguing both for and against the proposals.

Councillor Bradley Thomas said: "I feel there are no specific reasons why we should approve this application."

But Councillor Nigel Dowty added: "The farm is supporting the local economy and creating jobs.

"There have been no objections from anyone.

"It has everything going for it in terms of being environmentally friendly.

"There is a clear 24-hour need for an agricultural worker to be on site."

He also lambasted the recommendation for refusal as being "written by someone with no understanding whatsoever of farming".

The plans were narrowly approved by eight votes to seven.