PLANS to convert a Barnards Green shop into a restaurant were thrown out this week.

Applicant X D Yin wanted to change the use of 2 Court Road, currently a kitchen and bathroom showroom.

More than 25 residents objected to the plan and turned out in force when it came before Malvern Hills District Council's southern area development control committee on Wednesday.

Brian Curtis, of Court Gardens, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of local residents, said: "The essence of our objection is that the site is surrounded by residential properties."

Nearby properties include Court House nursing home and the Chestnut Court retirement flats.

Mr Curtis said people were worried about the impact of extra traffic on already-congested Court Road, about smells from the restaurant and noise from its customers.

Although planning officers recommended the plan for approval, councillors voted it out.

They said its impact on local residential amenities would be too great.

"We're very pleased the councillors made this decision," said Mr Curtis after the meeting.

"I'm aware of the need to keep Malvern thriving, and we'd welcome this restaurant in a suitable location, but this was not it.

"We will be staying vigilant in case there is an appeal, to ensure the decision reached this week is not overturned."

A spokesman for the applicant's agent, Direct Planning Ltd, of Orpington, said it was too soon to say if he would appeal.