A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build 62 affordable homes near a floodplain - rejected only last month over flooding fears - was turned down again.

Worcester City Council's planning committee refused a plan by social housing provider Stonewater to build the homes at Old Northwick Farm, off Old Northwick Lane, over the same fears the site would flood and cause social isolation.

The council’s planning committee was warned a second refusal could be overturned on appeal as the site has already been included for residential development in the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) and has already seen a plan for 52 homes approved.

Councillors again ignored the recommendations of the council's planners and gave the application the thumb's down at a meeting on Thursday (July 25).

Councillors were told by council planners to take “extreme caution” when considering whether to reject the plan on the grounds it is unsustainable. They also said there had been limited evidence the site would flood.

Cllr James Stanley, who represents Claines, said the housing development was “clearly car-dependent” and would be unsuitable for any residents with mobility issues.

He said: “This site is not acceptable unless you are prepared or able to walk or cycle long distances.”

Cllr Stanley said it was a “clear attempt” by council planners to rerun the last meeting where the plan was first rejected.

Cllr Andy Stafford, who also represents Claines, said the reasons behind the plan’s rejection last month had been “undiminished if not strengthened” and approving the plan now would be undermining the planning process.

Cllr Stafford said flooding would continue to be a significant issue.

Cllr Alan Amos said he would be “extremely concerned” if a committee made up of different councillors could overturn decisions made only a month earlier.

He said: “We don’t change juries halfway through a trial to get a different decision.”

Cllr Marc Bayliss, leader of the city council, said building homes would be exposing residents to a significant level of risk from flooding and the homes were not the right proposal for the site.

He said the council was “ahead of the curve” with its build-out rate which meant the council did not have to approve every application.

He said: “There are opportunities for us to pause and ask ‘do we need to squeeze the maximum out of every site?’ I don’t think we do.”

The plan was rejected by seven votes to one.