PLANS to deprive youngsters in Rock of a play area promised as part of a housing deal have been thrown out.

Councillors unanimously rejected the application by Bryant Homes to scrap proposals to build the play area at New Forest Close, Far Forest, at a meeting of the planning (development control) committee of Wyre Forest District Council.

The application, sparked by complaints from residents worried the play area would attract anti-social behaviour, was labelled as "appalling" by one committee member.

Councillor Fran Oborski said: "This play area is needed desperately. It was part of the original planning permission."

Mrs Oborski said comments by Andrew Dickens - who heads the department responsible for council play areas in the district - that the money could instead be spent on a similar facility at Northwood Lane in Bewdley were "pathetic and disgraceful".

Fellow councillor Chris Nicholls said complaints from residents were unjustified.

He said: "This is selfish people putting the boot in.

"Everybody's complaining that kids are obese - they are crying out for play areas."

Bryant Homes was told by the council it had to provide the play area as part of a deal which gave it permission to build 28 new homes at Far Forest on land used by children.

Residents at the new site - named Oak Leaf Rise - told the council they would not have moved to the homes if they had known about the scheme.

But in a report by case officer Julia Summerfield it was pointed out the new occupants "should have been aware" of the scheme and refusal would be contrary to the Local Plan.

Rock parish councillor Steve Garvey, who lives at New Forest Close and had campaigned to have the play area saved, said after the meeting: "I am very pleased by the decision.

"Hopefully the new development will bring the whole community together."

A Bryant Homes spokesman said: "We will be commencing work to install the play area as soon as we have approval from the council on the details."