AN outline plan to demolish Little Witley Garage and replace it with two houses looks set to be refused by Malvern Hills planners.

Little Witley Parish Council and residents in the area would like to see the disused garage site developed, but planning officers say its rundown appearance is not so harmful as to justify residential development.

The garage site could still provide for the social or employment needs of the rural community around Little Witley, says their report to Malvern Hills District Council's northern area planning committee.

A previous scheme to build three houses was refused in May 2001 and although the new plan is considered an improvement, planning officers say it is contrary, in principle, to local development, employment, recreation and housing policies.

There are horses and stables immediately behind the site and it is thought this could conflict with its residential use and adversely affect the occupiers of the proposed houses.

"Rural garages are considered to be important community facilities which assist in developing sustainable settlements," says the report.

"It has not been demonstrated that the facility is no longer necessary to the local community in Little Witley, therefore a presumption should be made in favour of its retention."

The report will be considered when the planning committee meets on Wednesday, July 3.