A BID to build 162 houses on the site of Kidderminster College when it moves to its new town centre location has controversially been given the thumbs-up by councillors.

An Aggborough residents' group was set up in opposition to the plan by Prowting Homes to build on the site of the college and a former quarry used as a car park.

But members' hopes were dashed when they packed the public gallery at Kidderminster Town Hall to hear Wyre Forest District Council's planning (development control) committee deliver its verdict.

Councillor Fran Oborski told her colleagues the application, which had been approved by the council's overview and scrutiny committee, "fitted entirely" with planning policy and urged them to "bite the bullet and make the right decision".

The college is due to move to its new site in Market Street by February 2003, but the application by Prowting to build on the site at Hoo Road sparked outrage from residents who feared traffic problems and a loss of public space.

But Mrs Oborski said: "This is a privately owned brownfield site. Anyone who wishes to purchase this land for public open space can seek to raise the funding."

Residents' spokesman Robin Vaughan said after the meeting Mrs Oborski was driving forward a "questionable" policy which had led to "the remaining quality of life in Aggborough being sold down the river".

However, she was backed by Jamie Shaw, who said the council was under Govern-ment pressure to develop brownfield sites. He said undeveloped land elsewhere would be preserved by approving the bid to develop the college site.

Howard Martin agreed Aggborough residents had been "sold down the river" and pointed to the views of Severn Valley Railway, which had expressed concern at the loss of car parking.

But Mrs Oborski said both SVR and Kidderminster Harriers had the option to buy the land if they needed it for car parking.

Under the scheme, Prowting will provide £80,000 for highway improvements on Hoo Road and its junction with Comberton Hill.