A DECISION about whether a sleepy cul-de-sac can be used as an access road for a commercial garage has been put off until an appeal has been decided.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, angry residents of Fearnal Close, Fernhill Heath, believe a set of gates built at the end of their cul-de-sac to allow vehicles to access a garage and workshop will spoil their quiet street.

The problem started after garage owner John Jeffrey sold the land on which Fearnal Close is built to developer David Payne Homes. The firm installed the gates without permission in 2006 saying it had a legal obligation to provide a right-of-way to Mr Jeffrey’s business. Wychavon councillors later granted permission for a fence, but included a condition that the gates should be taken down. An application for the condition to be removed was refused in January and the developer has since appealed against that decision.

However, at a planning meeting on Thursday, councillors considered another application to remove the condition but to impose restrictions on the amount of traffic that could use the access.

Speaking at the meeting, objector Philip Ball, a Fearnal Close resident, said: “It will result in an increase in traffic and commercial vehicles.

“This will represent an increase in health and safety hazards.

“I have two young children. The design encourages children to play in the close.”

Mike Nolan, speaking on behalf of North Claines Parish Council, also objected saying: “We feel this is very wrong.”

However, Kay Davies, speaking in support of the application said: “The access and the gates are needed to ensure the continued operation of a local business in Fernhill Heath since the 1930s.”

She said the residents would have known about the business and the access when they bought their homes and added: “Conditions have been volunteered to control traffic movements, vehicle sizes and hours of operation.”

Councillors agreed to defer the application for a site visit while the appeal was being considered by a planning inspector.