A PLAN to knock down two 1930s houses in an exclusive area of St John's and replace them with 23 new homes has angered hundreds of residents.

Under the proposals, the two large detached properties - 226 and 230 Malvern Road, which have been sold to developers - will be destroyed and replaced with 17 flats and six five-bedroom houses.

The initiative, put forward by Neil Grinnall Homes, has already received the backing of council planners, but not of local people.

A petition against the plans has been signed by hundreds, and locals have vowed to "fight to the bitter end."

"The plans would be totally out of keeping with the area and I cannot believe they are even being considered," said Daphne Williams, of neighbouring Chamberlain Road, who started the petition.

"Everyone is appalled by the idea of changing the face of Malvern Road to such a degree.

"Personally, we would have four windows of a new house facing directly into our garden.

"But on a broader note, it would cause traffic chaos and the area just cannot take the extra population."

Worcester City Council's planning committee is due to consider the application on Thursday, January 6, but Stuart McNidder, head of development services at the authority, has already recommended approval.

He said he understood the concerns of the residents, but insisted the proposals met planning guidance.

However, Kevin O'Hara, of Malvern Road, said residents were squaring up for a battle.

"As well as signing the petition, dozens of residents have written individual letters of complaint," he said.

"If the proposals were given the go-ahead, it would generate more traffic on a busy road, a road which children use to go to school.

"Another fear is that it would set a precedent for other developers to knock down picturesque buildings in the area and replace them with bland housing purely for profit.

"We are determined to fight to the bitter end."

No-one was available for comment from Neil Grinnall Homes.