MOre than four acres of land in Malvern which has been owned by a local family for around 20 years could be developed for housing.

Residents in Meadow Road are angry that the Oseman family is seeking planning permission to develop the field next to their homes.

An outline application to develop the 4.1 acres off Meadow Road has been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council. The plan involves the demolition of the bungalow at number 51 to create access to an, as yet undecided, number of houses.

"We're pretty upset," said Joan Birchley, who lives directly opposite number 51. "It's the best part of the estate up here."

Annette Wright said children used the footpath next to number 51 on their way to The Grove Infants School, and the increased traffic that would accompany a development would be dangerous to them.

"It's nice to have these open spaces, it will spoil the whole area," said another resident, William Lowe, who added that the demand from more houses would further reduce the already low water pressure locally.

Neighbour David Taylor said: "I take this as a case of economics overriding nature. We are here to have a quiet life.

"If you allow a few people in there you're preventing future generations from enjoying what we've enjoyed."

David Oseman, one of the applicants, said he was one of the executors for his father, Michael Oseman, who was the owner of the land.

He said: "With the need for local housing, it lends itself to development with the access to the school and the railway station and housing on three sides of it. It could also ease the congestion of school traffic in Pickersleigh Grove."

l Neighbours Joan Birchley and David Taylor in front the bungalow that could demolished.