UNHAPPY residents who bought into the dream of a 'modern rural village' now face the possibility of further development on their doorstep.

Amended plans put to Bromsgrove District Council planning committee by landowners Gallagher, means residents on The Oakalls could face 58 additional dwellings there.

Concerned resident John Faulkner, of Royal Worcester Crescent, said: "We bought into the idea of a rural village but these plans could not be any further from that. This could be made into a very attractive area that is very desirable - but if the plans get approved it will be turned into a housing estate not a village.

"We want shops, open space and other facilities, not extra houses. I think developers have dragged their heels on the matter. This is not what we hoped for."

Conservative district councillor for the area, Caroline Spencer (Slideslow), is also against the plans and believes it is unfair on the people who have bought a property in the area, originally advertised as a rural village.

She said: "I am against the idea, but if more dwellings have to be built then I think we should give more consideration to a children's nursery on the site. We need to compromise and make the best of a bad situation."

Other concerns raised by Cllr Spencer were the shortage of school places near the estate, the lack of shop facilities and traffic problems at the nearby Slideslow island.

Developers were given five years to find suitable amenities for the village in 1998. That time has now expired without suitable businesses coming forward - meaning the agreement allows them to build additional housing instead.

Conservative county councillor for Bromsgrove South, June Longmuir, said: "Residents feel they have been sold short by the developers and, because of that, deserve the support of the council. I agree with them."

The plans will now go to members of the planning committee next Monday for a decision. A site visit is set to take place later this week with the recommendation from officers that the application be approved.

David Keyse, project manager at Gallagher Estates Ltd said: "Gallagher Estates welcomes the officer's recommendation to approve the 58 new dwellings at the Oakalls estate."