A PLAN to build 69 homes and apartments as part of the latest phase of a housing development near Droitwich was backed by councillors.

The changes to this part of the 740-home Copcut Rise development in Salwarpe near Droitwich includes two new apartment blocks each with nine flats, one of which will be affordable.

Developer William Davis said the switch to one-bedroom apartments was in response to a need for smaller homes.

Wychavon District Council's planning committee approved the application at meeting last Thursday (December 13).

Councillor Tony Miller was not impressed with the homes and said they were completely out of character with the area.

He sarcastically said: “What can one say? Beautifully designed houses, a lot of character. You can see how it will enhance the area can’t you?

“The design of these houses are totally inappropriate to the area. That is a rural part on the edge of Droitwich and going into Salwarpe.

“The design of those houses does not fit with the local character of the area.

“I’m afraid the developers should come up with something a bit more imaginative than this.”

Cllr Miller asked said the council was "putting the cart before the horse" and asked whether the site would be blighted by the same problems experienced at the Yew Tree Hill estate in Droitwich.

Cllr Miller said Severn Trent had to install a new pump to ensure all the homes had enough water pressure to run the heating system and showers which also caused major disruption on A38 when it was being put in place.

He said: “We need to know that the people moving into these houses will be adequately provided for with the utilities that they need.

“I’m not happy with the layout. There’s not a lot I can do about it. It’s down for approval, it will be approved but I’m certainly not going to recommend approval on this one."

Cllr Tony Rowley said Cllr Miller’s concerns were “too late” and he felt the revised layout of the homes looked better.

He said: “We’re faced here with a reserved matter application. Approval has already been granted in outline.

“Many of that matters referred to by Cllr Miller should have been addressed at the time of the outline. It’s rather too late now.

“To me, this layout looks better than the one that was previously granted. I would say that this is perhaps a better development.”

The plan was approved by nine votes to two with one abstention.