CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 50 new homes on former nursery land in Bewdley Street are being opposed by Evesham town councillors.

At a meeting on Monday members objected to the application on the former Avon Nurseries site. Developers want to transform the four and a half-acres of land into a brand new housing estate.

Councillor John Smith said: "This is a very sensitive site with a very difficult access. I think we should ask Wychavon to produce a planning brief for the area."

Coun Ron Stowe said: "I think we should recommend refusal. Half the agricultural land is in the flood plane. If development takes place on that it will be lost for ever."

People living close to the proposed site are worried about the increased amount of heavy traffic the development would create. One concerned resident of nearby Albert Street is John Staite. He used to own the nursery land.

After the meeting Mr Staite said: "A lot of people are against the plans purely because of the amount of heavy traffic. That would be something I would object too."

However Mr Staite believes something needs to be done to improve the derelict land that has been targeted by vandals. He added: "It is a shame it has been let go. The site has a lot going for it. Something has got to be done with it but I don't necessarily think new houses are the answer."

Dave Tomaney, policy manager for Wychavon District Council said that despite being agricultural land, the site had been included in the development boundary because of its derelict state.

Although it was earmarked for possible development Mr Tomaney said the Local Plan still had to go through a consultation stage and a local inquiry before being adopted. He added: "This planning application is rather premature."