THREE garage sites at a Bewdley estate will be knocked down for homes, despite a protest from residents.

A total of nine homes will be built on the Queensway estate in Wribbenhall for Wyre Forest Community Housing, councillors agreed.

The need to build social housing outweighed objections over loss of privacy and visual impact, members of Wyre Forest District Council's planning (development control) committee said.

The two and three-bedroom homes will be built behind existing properties in the main Queensway road through the estate and at nearby Cordle Marsh Road.

A 56-signature petition objected to the plans, with fears raised over a drop in property prices, increase in anti-social behaviour and a surge in the number of cars on the estate.

Belvedere Close resident, Andrew Hadley, addressed the meeting of the committee, at Duke House, Kidderminster, on Tuesday last week.

He said the new properties would overlook existing homes. "The development is neither necessary or justified," he said. Members, however, approved the plans.

Councillor Marcus Hart said: "I think the buildings are well designed. I think Wyre Forest is crying out for this type of land for social housing (and) I think, on balance, it does accord with our policy."

Councillor Jamie Shaw said the increase in cars would be "marginal" and there was a strong need for social housing.

Case officer, Paul Round, recommended councillors approve the plan. He said the developments were "acceptable in relation to the size of the site and the number of units proposed".

Bewdley Town Council and Wyre Forest Highways Partnership Unit raised no objections to the plan.