THE future of a controversial Bidford nursery site is to be decided by a planning inspector.

A public inquiry into Marriage Hill Nurseries, which has been the subject of a fierce two-year fight between Bidford-on-Avon Residents Group (BARG) and Color Estates, will be held in Stratford later this year, despite a last-minute bid by agents of the developer to stop the inquiry.

The firm wants to turn the nursery site into a small business park and had their plans thrown out by Stratford District Council earlier this year. It appealed against the decision and asked the planning inspectorate for a written inquiry.

But planners from the district council requested that the application should be contested at a public inquiry, which is the decision that the inspectorate has now taken.

Simon Rogerson, administrative officer for the planning inspectorate, confirmed that the inspectorate decided yesterday, (Wednesday) that the application would be heard by way of public inquiry and that Stratford District Council had been informed of its decision.

Walter Stafford, BARG spokesman, said the group would be looking to change the venue to Bidford, but added: "We are delighted that the inspectorate has reflected the deep concern for Bidford and its district, that this plan is highly controversial and in an extremely sensitive river valley location, and that the plans submitted by Color Estates gave little or no regard to it.

"For the first time the district council officers and BARG find themselves fighting on the same side on broadly the same issues of concern, and if we are successful we can ensure that the character of Bidford is protected."

Igor Kolodotschko, managing director of Color Estates, said the firm would write to the inspectorate to object to the inquiry.

He added: "This has already been to a public inquiry twice, we don't need another one because the principles have already been established."