PLANS to build a housing and office development on the site of Droitwich Spa's former medals office have stalled because councillors need more information before making a final decision.

The only surviving pill box of its type in Worcestershire could be lost if plans to build office blocks, three storey flats and detached houses are given the go-ahead.

The pill box - built during World War Two to help deal with a German invasion - is one of only 150 recorded in the UK, but its retention is due to be a condition of planning permission. Members of Wychavon District Council's development control committee did not vote on the application and instead deferred the decision to visit the site.

The land was given to the MoD during World War Two by the Everton family. Recent efforts by the family to stop it being sold for development have failed. Peter Luff, MP for Mid-Worcestershire, who fought against the office's closure - said he hoped the council make it as difficult as possible for the development to go ahead.

"The heritage of the site needs to be commemorated. At least some mark of the history of the site and the war needs to be conserved. This was land that was transferred to the MoD when a war was on and the MoD is now profiting from it."

The Worcestershire county archaeologist told Wychavon that the pill box should be retained and conserved where it is and incorporated into the scheme. But planning officers say it will almost certainly have to move from its current location because it would end up in a back garden.

Wychavon development control committee administrator Chris Wilkes said: "The matter was deferred for a site visit because members feel they don't have all the information they need to make a decision." The development would see a courtyard of two and three storey office blocks and 46 homes, including three-storey flats and a mix of semi-detached, detached and terraced houses.

The Worcester Road site manufactured and distributed army medals before it was closed in March last year. The application was submitted by chartered surveyors Drivers Jonas on behalf of Defence Estates, an agency of the MoD.