RESIDENTS are still upset over plans which will see homes overlooking their back garden.

Worcester Community Housing has secured permission to build 16 houses on garages behind numbers 22-64 Ennerdale Close in Warndon, as previously reported.

But 23 people living in the houses have signed a fresh petition, saying their views – and “genuine concerns” were not taken into account by planners.

They have now been urged to attend a public exhibition of the plans tomorrow.

They handed the petition to Councillor Mike Layland who was the only councillor to object to the plans at the Worcester City Council committee meeting in March. Christine Patrick, who has lived in the road for 43 years, said long-term residents had been sidelined by planners for the sake of new homes.

She criticised the consultation period for the plans being held in December and early January, meaning many people would be “too busy over Christmas” to think about a planning issue. “I wish now I had put more time aside to object,” she said. Mrs Patrick sent a letter of objection to planners at the time, along with 12 residents who had signed a petition.

“The main issue is we will be overlooked,” she said. “And they are very close to our boundaries.

“One of the councillors said we could grow trees in our gardens to block the homes, but that will just block all the light into the gardens as well.

“We haven’t been listened to.”

Coun Mike Layland said he had spoken with Worcester Community Housing’s chief executive Stewart Mountfield about the issue.

“Mr Mountfield was very helpful and has explained any residents still with concerns should go along to a public exhibition of the plans,” he said.

WCH plans to create a range of affordable homes from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom homes, including eight shared ownership properties.

The £7.25 million development will be in Troutbeck Drive, Ennerdale Close and Chedworth Drive – the site of the former Warndon Youth Centre.

WCH development manager Jane Fradgley said: “We would encourage anyone who has any queries about the new homes to come along to the open afternoon tomorrow. The plans, already approved by the city council’s planning committee, will be on show and they will be able to talk through any concerns they have with the developer and with myself.”

The open exhibition is in the communal room at Langdale Close Supported Housing Scheme, in Langdale Drive, from 3pm to 6pm.