A PUBLIC inquiry will open next week into a controversial large scale housing plan for Malvern Link.

Ciel Properties Ltd was refused planning permission by Malvern Hills District Council to build 67 flats on woodland at the north end of Malvern Link.

But the developer appealed against the decision, made in November, and now the matter will be decided by the Government's Planning Inspectorate.

The Birmingham-based firm wants to build three two- and three-storey blocks on the 2.5-acre site between the A449 Worcester Road and the Safeway supermarket car park.

All the apartments will be priced at under £100,000, but over a quarter of them will be "affordable" housing with starting prices of £72,000 and shared ownership prices of about £36,000.

Planning permission was refused for a number of reasons, including the need to preserve the woodland, which the council says "makes an important contribution to the general character and appearance on the area".

The site is also considered to be a green urban space and thus not suitable for development, plus it is prone to flooding. The proposed entrance to the development would also increase traffic problems on the already-busy A449 Worcester Road, planners concluded.

The public inquiry starts at 10am on Tuesday at Priory Lodge Hall, Avenue Road, and will be conducted by inspector Bob Sexton. The inquiry will hear evidence from barristers employed by the council and the development firm.

If the council loses the appeal, it intends to ask Ciel Properties for a financial contribution to off-site recreational provision.