A SLEEPY cul-de-sac on the edge of Worcester is at war over plans for it to be used as an access road for a commercial garage.

Several angry residents of Fearnal Close, Fernhill Heath, believe the efforts of a local businessman and a property firm to gain permission for an access route at the end of their quiet street could spoil it forever.

David Payne Homes broke planning rules when it erected a large set of gates at the end of the newly-built cul-de-sac without permission in 2006, allowing vehicles to access John Jeffrey’s garage/workshop behind.

Wychavon District Council has demanded the gates be removed and replaced with a fence – but Mr Jeffrey says his business needs the access route to operate effectively. After being refused planning permission once, the property firm has now made a fresh request for the gates to sta.

Paul Chase is one of several Fearnal Close residents objecting strongly. He said: “We bought this house because it was on a quiet cul-de-sac. Those gates are not supposed to be there. There is regular through-traffic – and not just cars, but low-loaders carrying five or six cars at a time, queueing up outside our house. We also suspect this will be followed by applications for further housing, with our road used as the access route.”

North Claines Parish Council has also objected – describing the developer as “unreliable” – and Wychavon planning officer Neil Pearce has recommended the application be refused, stating an access road would cause “demonstrable harm” to its residents.

However, other villagers – and one resident of the close itself – have written letters in support, joined by ward councillors Tony Miller and Alan Fisher, who have ensured the final decision will be made by the council’s development control committee tomorrow.

Coun Fisher said: “We believe if this is rejected, the gentleman concerned will lose his livelihood.~”

Mr Jeffrey sold the land on which Fearnal Close is built to David Payne Homes several years ago, and the firm says it has “a legal obligation” to provide a right of way to his garage.

Mr Jeffrey’s firm has another access road, but he says it is an “agricultural track” which is “wholly unsuitable for regular use.”