A DEVELOPER has asked for permission to build more homes in addition to the 300 it already plans to construct near the city.

Persimmon Homes was given the go-ahead more than fours years ago to build up to 300 homes on land between Swinesherd Way and the M5 in Spetchley near Worcester and now wants to move ahead with the third phase to build 96 homes.

However, the housing developer has put forward a separate planning application for 58 extra homes on the same piece of land but in addition to the 300 homes it already has permission for.

Two new play areas are also due to be built as part of the third phase.

The land, which would form part of an urban extension, has already been earmarked for 300 homes in the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).

The first phase of the huge plan, for 91 homes, was backed by councillors in 2016 and the second phase of 113 homes was approved last year.

Persimmon was also told to build a foot and cycle bridge across the A4440 Swinesherd Way as part of its permission to build the homes.

The bridge would be needed to connect the homes to St Peter's and the rest of Worcester.

Building the extra homes would require part of the access route to the north of site near to the A4440 to be altered to make space.

Persimmon will enter into negotiations with Worcestershire County Council about changing the route.

Highways bosses are yet to comment.

Planners at Worcester City Council, which does not decide the application but was asked to comment, welcomed the extra homes and the forty per cent allocation for affordable housing.

The plans can be viewed via the planning section of Wychavon District Council's website. The application number is 19/02535/RM.

The application number for the extra homes on the site is 19/02542/FUL.

Consultation ends on January 18.

Comments can be made via the planning section of the council's website.

l A PLAN for a children's fostering agency to move into a listed ex-schoolhouse in Spetchley was approved.

Pyramid Care Fostering Services, currently based in The Cupola building to the north of the schoolhouse in Spetchley, will now move into the grade II-listed building after Wychavon District Council gave the go-ahead.