A BID to build 12 houses on Green Belt land at a Wyre Forest village were slammed as "unbelievable" by district planners who unanimously threw out the application.

The bid, which would have increased the size of Mustow Green, Kidderminster, by nearly a half, attracted four petitions with more than 100 people objecting to the proposal to build on land off Worcester Road.

Members and officers were united at Tuesday's meeting in withering opposition. Head of planning Jake Berriman told the planning (development control) committee it was probably one of the most straightforward recommendations for refusal members were likely to see.

Councillor Fran Oborski said: "This application goes against all accepted Green Belt policy. It is just unbelievable. It is one of the most ludicrous attempts to drive a coach and horses through planning policy that I have seen in more than 20 years. It is an absolutely appalling application."

In its submission, Robert Swan Associates said it would be an "unobtrusive" development which would not be a "typical profit-driven speculative housing scheme."

But opponents cited the destruction of Green Belt land; the need to re-route an ancient footpath; the reduction of privacy to "zero"; the loss of view and beautiful surroundings; the creation of a precedent for future Green Belt development and the creation of a dangerous access to Curslow Lane.

Councillor Stephen Williams told the committee: "Residents in Mustow Green feel trapped in their own homes at certain times of the day because of traffic. What would happen if this went ahead?"

And he claimed the creation of a 'bypass' to the A450 would rather lead to a 'rat run.'

Objections were also lodged by the Ramblers' Association, Stone Parish Council and the Highway Authority.