DISGUSTED residents have vented their anger about a decision made by a Governing body to build a family restaurant in Wychbold.

Whitbread Plc and Design Site Ltd have been successful in a planning application to build a Brewers Fayre on the site of Wychall Cottage, in Worcester Road -- much to the anger of local residents and Dodderhill Parish Council.

The application for the family pub and restaurant was originally turned down by Wychavon District Council but after an appeal in April, was finally granted by the planning inspectorate. The decision, along with a proposal by a second applicant to turn Wychbold Post Office into a take-away, has been greeted with anger.

Dodderhill Parish Council has long been against the decision to build another pub in the area, as has resident Peter Hood.

"It's simply unbelievable that this application has been granted. Since Mc Donalds was developed, it seems to have opened the door to anything in the village. These new applications are pushing smaller places out of business. I moved to Wychbold originally for a quieter existence but it's clear that no-one is giving any consideration to local residents," he said.

"I will protest against the decision to have a take-away in the area, but I doubt it will do any good."

District Councillor Judy Pearce is also against the pub proposal and fears the new development will bring extra traffic to the village.

Wychavon's head of planning, Gill Collin, said: "We are very disappointed at the inspectorate decision. The inspector did not agree with the local planning authority that the development of this family pub would have a negative visual impact on the area, nor that there would be traffic implications on an already busy road."

But a Whitbread Plc spokesman said: "We are delighted at the outcome and the new Brewers Fayre will provide jobs and great facilities for the people of Wychbold and Droitwich. We hope to commence work later this year."