PLANS to demolish two "exceedingly good late Victorian" town houses and replace them with flats and modern homes have been unanimously refused.

Planning committee members hope the move will send a message to developers that councillors will not be worn down by firms who re-submit similar applications.

The application was to knock down 51 and 53 Battenhall Road, Worcester, and replace them with 10 flats and 10 houses.

However, planning officers raised five objections to the scheme, including unnecessary demolition of the existing houses, additional traffic that would result, and that the development would be out of character with the area.

Planning officer Paul O'Connor said it was a similar application to one earlier this year, for 10 houses and 13 flats on the same site.