TEN new affordable homes for rent and shared ownership are being planned for an area of open countryside on the edge of Clifton on Teme.

West Mercia Housing wants to build two semi-detached two bedroom bungalows, six semi-detached two-bedroom houses and two semi-detached three-bedroom houses on land off Pound Lane.

The site is outside the settlement area where housing would normally be allowed but the entire development would be affordable homes which can be permitted in open countryside.

Clifton on Teme Parish Council is supporting the development but is concerned about extra traffic and says it favours a courtyard design rather than the planned linear style.

Malvern Hills District Council has received 16 letters and emails from villagers concerned about traffic congestion, flooding, highway safety, pollution from the proposed woodchip burning biomass boiler, the layout and style of the properties and the site's proximity to a play area.

Council planning officer Simon Jones is recommending planning permission is granted.

He says Clifton needs affordable housing amd the site is within walking distance of the village centre with access to public transport, he adds.

The single woodchip boiler would serve all 10 properties, which would be fitted with conventional heating systems, and is capable of achieving an efficiency of 91 per cent, says Mr Jones.

"The scheme at Pound Lane would save around 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually," he added.

The application will be discussed by members of the council's northern area development control committee later today.