DETAILS of the first phase of Malvern's North Site development - which involves building 76 new homes, a spine road and drainage - will be going under the spotlight.

District councillors will consider two planning applications, one for the homes and the other for the road and drainage, from Persimmon Homes for the former Defence Evaluation Research Agency site, off Leigh Sinton Road, tonight. The homes range from two-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses - 48 would be put up for sale on the open market while 28 of them would be affordable homes built for Elgar Housing Association.

Of those, 18 would be available for rent and 10 would be for shared ownership.

The development will have a distinctive feature with the taller buildings - the apartment blocks - positioned to provide a gateway to the site and help people with their direction and orientation.

But the proposals have prompted a number of objections, including ones from Malvern Town Council, which is concerned about the roads and the uncompleted improvements to Lower Howsell Road.

There have also been 17 letters raising concerns about an array of issues including loss of light and outlook to nearby properties, traffic, landscaping, the visual impact of the development, the strain on local schools and amenities and storm water drainage.

In his report to the committee, planning officer Duncan Rudge, who has recommended approval, said the detailed application for the homes and the spine road are consistent with the outline planning permission already granted for the site.

"The layout with good pedestrian and cycle links will ensure that the development is properly connected to the surrounding area and that local services and facilities are accessible. The dwellings have been well designed to reflect local architecture and the taller buildings have been positioned to provide an important gateway feature and provide a sense of direction and orientation. The proposed landscaping is also of a high standard," he adds.

He says that the proposals would not result in unacceptable overlooking and loss of privacy and that the development is supported by West Mercia Constabulary's crime risk manager.

The matter will be discussed at Malvern Hills District Council's southern area development control committee.