A SCHEME to transform the site of a former abattoir in Tutnall into an 11-home development is being sent to the Secretary of State for the Environment after planners gave it the thumbs up.

Plans include creating the farmyard-style complexes on land where Midland Meat Packers is situated in Tutnall Lane.

At Monday's meeting of Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee, officers raised concerns about the lack of affordable housing on the estate.

It was deemed unsuitable for such properties to be built in the area which is not near any amenities or a public transport route.

Officers said they would be asking developers, Northampton-based The Baker Group, to provide affordable social housing in the district.

The committee passed the plans which mean they have to be referred to the Government to see if the project needs to be 'called in' because it introduces novel issues to the authority.

The site is well known in the town for housing Duggins, an abattoir which was formerly one of the town's largest employers.