A RETIRED vicar from Droitwich Spa with a weekly income of £100 has been told to pay a High Court bill of more than £5,000.

The Rev Ronald Waters was saddled with the debt after persisting with what a judge branded an "utterly hopeless" challenge to development near his home.

Mr Waters, a former congregational minister, failed last week to halt the construction of homes at Saltwic Drive, Newland Road and Nine Acre Meadow.

Inspectors from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) had given the go ahead for Swan Hill Homes West to build on land next to Mr Waters's house on the north west slope of Yew Tree Hill.

"This case was utterly hopeless and should never have been brought," said Mr Justice Ouseley, dismissing objections.

Mr Waters had opposed plans for 14 homes because he argued the DETR inspectors had ignored Wychavon District Council's Local Plan.

The council had refused permission but Swan Hill Homes West appealed against the decision.

Mr Waters, who conducted his own case, claimed he had been barred from presenting his views in person to inspectors, but was told to write instead.

He alleged the inspectors had failed to consider the character and appearance of Yew Tree Hill.

But the judge said the inspectors had not done anything wrong and they had allowed the retired vicar to put forward his case.

Mr Justice Ouseley ordered Mr Waters to pay the DETR's costs of £5,266 within six months, saying it was unfair to allow the taxpayer to foot the bill.

"We are at the end of our tether," said Mr Waters, who warned he could not meet the costs.

The judge said Mr Waters owned his own home and had no mortgage.

He left it to the DETR to decide what extent it wished to enforce the order for costs.