PEOPLE have reacted angrily to a decision to allow seven homes to be built in Kempsey, near Worcester, after three councillors turned up late to a planning meeting and missed hearing their opposition.

Homeowners in Florence Close, Kempsey, said it was a "shoddy state of affairs" and claimed their views were not taken into consideration before a decision was made on the scheme at Malvern Hills District Council's northern control planning committee.

Michael Ballinger, of Florence Close, said residents felt as though they have had "a dastardly thing done against" them.

"I just think this has been rail-roaded through and I feel deeply distressed about it and upset," he said. "I have had a lot of sleepless nights in fear of what's going to come with the disruption."

Anne Crowther, also of Florence Close, said: "They heard absolutely nothing of the argument. They just came in and voted. We don't think that's democratic."

As previously reported in your Worcester News, permission was granted for the scheme on Wednesday, February 6.

But it was at Kempsey Parish Council meeting that residents vented their fury.

Malvern Hills district councillor Marian Walters attempted to appease angry residents.

She said: "I assure you the latecomer is a music teacher who always comes late and another gave his apologies and said he would get there when he could."

Mrs Crowther said: "If he's always late he shouldn't be doing that job."

Kempsey parish councillor Norman Atkins, who lives in Florence Close, represented the residents at last week's planning meeting.

He said: "I prepared papers and photos but not one was shown that evening.

"We also had an expert consultant and he wrote a five-page technical report on it and I don't think any councillors there last Wednesday read his report or our objections.

"It was a shoddy state of affairs."

The scheme to build seven homes, including three affordable houses, received 40 opposition letters and it was also opposed by Kempsey Parish Council.

Following the meeting, a statement from Malvern Hills District Council's northern control planning department said all councillors were made aware of the residents' opposition in advance of the meeting.

It said one councillor arrived five minutes before discussions on Florence Close began while the two other latecomers abstained from voting.