THE people of a Worcester street have been celebrating after a second attempt to knock down two Victorian houses and replace them with a block of flats was dismissed.

In May, city council planners refused an application to demolish two homes in Battenhall Road and build a four-storey block of 13 flats as well as 10 terraced houses in the grounds.

The planning committee said the scheme would be "severely harmful" to the character of the area and the plans would affect the enjoyment and privacy of neighbouring properties.

Developer Manor Oak Residential Properties, of Kidderminster, lodged an appeal but the Planning Inspectorate this week upheld the council's decision to block the project.

The inspector concluded that protecting the local character outweighed the importance of providing the housing development.

Alan Flockhart, who lives next door to the site, said: "We very much welcome the decision. It's excellent news on two fronts.

"The plans were would have meant the people living in Camp Hill Road would have completely lost their privacy.

"It was also important for Worcester that this (the demolition of Victorian houses) did not go ahead. I hope developers take the message on board."

Mr Flockhart, along with dozens of neighbours and residents of nearby streets, had objected to the plans throughout the application process.

Worcester City Council's head of planning Paul O'Connor said: "We have always believed that the site adds to the specific character of this part of Battenhall and the loss of the houses would be unacceptable.

"The quality of the buildings to be demolished, the part they play in the character of the area and the design and appearance of the replacement buildings are all important considerations."

In May, planners also refused the bid as they felt the new properties would not be required because of there was already a plentiful supply of houses in the city.

The inspector disagreed with the city council on this point, and Mr O'Connor agreed, at the moment, it "should not refuse applications for housing on the grounds of need alone".

Manor Oak, declined to comment on whether future applications would be made.