A PROPOSED affordable housing development in Fernhill Heath has been rejected after concerns about the inadequate road system near to the site.

Wychavon District Council rejected a second application by Evesham and Pershore Housing Association to build 15 domestic homes at Oakey Farm on O'Keys Lane, including new access from Agatha Gardens.

The original plans were rejected last year when it was believed traffic calming measured needed to be put into place.

The decision was made at last Thursday's North Claines Parish Council meeting when councillors recommended that the plan be refused because the road system would be inadequate for the development and that the provision of traffic calming was not approved. It also indicated that the site would be too heavily over developed and the land was within the green belt.

As well as the views of the parish council there were also 52 objection letters and e-mails including one on behalf of the residents committee.

Councillor Paul Coley (Con-Lovett and North Claines) said: "I am absolutely delighted with the decision.

"Nothing had changed from the first application and I welcome the decision because parking is already tight at the site.

"Had this gone through it would in my view have been a blue print for disaster. I am delighted for the parish council and for the residents of Agatha Gardens."

A spokesman for Evesham and Pershore Housing Association said: "The association was disappointed to receive a refusal to this scheme as we have been working closely with the county engineers and thought that the highways issues had been resolved.

"We are advised that the refusal was on a technicality and are considering making an appeal to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

"We have a waiting list of local people in need of housing in this area, some of the homes are also for sale on a shared ownership basis to people unable to afford high local prices. This has introduced a further delay, but we remain committed to meeting local housing needs."