STRATFORD Council has told Alcester town councillors permission will never be granted for houses to replace a run-down, semi-derelict building in Oversley Green.

At a meeting with representatives from the town council, the district planning department said the land where the former Bridge End service station stands is for employment use only and another use would never be permitted.

Alcester councillors want to see a development on the site as they believe the area is an eyesore and not a welcoming site for people travelling into Alcester.

The district council has so far turned down four applications for the site.

Two were for a small number of houses but the others were for a vehicle repair workshop and a car showroom, both of which are employment uses.

But despite rejections of previous employment developments, district council planning officer Andrew Murphy told town councillors this did not mean all applications would be thrown out.