A GREEN burial ground proposed for Lord's Wood at Collett's Green, Powick, has failed to get planning permission - but the applicant plans to fight the decision.

Lack of parking space, damage to trees and tree roots, road safety and an unacceptable level of disturbance to neighbours were among the reasons planning officers gave.

Applicant Craig Walsh, of Lucies Farm, Collett's Green, supported his application with reports from highways, environmental, geological and forestry consultants.

Despite the setback, Mr Walsh said he would be appealing once he had studied the grounds for rejection.

"I'm disappointed but determined to use the wood as a green burial ground, and I will be re-submitting the application - probably with changes.

"A forestry consultant told me it was the best thing for the woodland. I could use the wood for paintball without planning permission for 14 days a year, or use it to graze my pigs and cattle. I don't want to do those things, but it needs to be used for something," said Mr Walsh.

Mr Walsh brought the 17-acre plot in 1998. But his plans failed to find favour with Powick Parish Council and was turned down by Malvern Hills planning officers without being referred to a planning committee.

Officers said burials under the trees in the semi-ancient woodland could cause long-term damage to their roots. There would be insufficient parking on site and extra parking, off King's End Road, could not be formally considered, as it was not part of the application site.

Officers thought it would spoil the landscape and create safety problems for people walking from the car park to the burial site and the influx of people would disturb nearby residents.

A green burial site means bodies are buried in a biodegradable coffin or cocoon. However, the plot does not have a gravestone - a biodegradable marker like a wooden cross can be set up.

The remains are guaranteed not to be disturbed, said Mr Walsh, unlike in local authority cemeteries, where bodies can be moved after 100 years to accommodate new burials.

"If the body is buried so that air can get to it, the body is mostly gone in 14 days," he explained.

.They also thought that vehicles and pedestrians attending up to two burials per day would create "an unacceptable level of disturbance" for the occupants of two houses near the access track.