PLANS for another affordable housing development in Alfrick have been turned down.

Malvern Hills district councillors felt an outline application for 10 houses in Upper House Lane would harm an area of great landscape value and was too far from the village.

The application, decided by the northern area development control committee on Wednesday, was similar to another from the same applicant, Gilbert Brooke, refused in December and now under appeal.

Another development of eight houses on Leigh Road was recently approved. Alfrick resident Stephen Coulter told the meeting: "The consistent advice you've been given is that there's a need for only one affordable housing site in Alfrick."

Planning officer Duncan Rudge said he had been advised of a need for further homes in Alfrick.

But he felt applying the issue of need to a refusal could impair the council's case at any appeal.

"Notwithstanding the need, this site is so special it should not be developed," he said.

The difference between this and the previous application was a request to Worcestershire County Council for a footpath through the churchyard to become a public right of way.

Mr Rudge said, even with the footpath, the site would be a long way from the village and he was worried residents would be likely to use the narrow road, where they were in danger of being hit by vehicles.