I READ with interest the protest by the residents of Battenhall, Worcester, against the proposal by Manor Oak Residential Properties Ltd to demolish two Victorian houses to make way for the development of 10 town houses and 13 flats.

I fully support their campaign and hope that it results in the planning committee councillors rejecting the scheme.

In January, the planning committee councillors rejected a similar scheme involving the demolition of 230 and 226 Malvern Road and erecting two blocks of flats and six houses. Hopefully, the planning inspectorate will support the councillors' historic decision.

Is it really enshrined within government planning guidelines that "brownfield" sites within the city boundary be created by demolishing perfectly good homes and replacing them with developments completely out of character with the surrounding areas?

If this type of development is not challenged then the character of the whole of the suburbs of Worcester with their large houses and gardens will be changed forever.

We need a groundswell of public opinion to persuade the planning officers not to ravage the beautiful suburbs of Worcester, much like the 1960s when beautiful old buildings near the Cathedral were demolished and questionable "modern" developments built.

Surely we should learn from our past mistakes and not, yet again, let developer's profits destroy the very heritage and character that makes Worcester a worthwhile place to live and raise families.

A B MERRICK,

Chairman of Hanbury Park Area Action Group, Worcester.