CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a housing estate on the edge of Bredon have been rejected.

Wychavon District Council planners threw out the application for 33 homes by Knarsboro Homes at a meeting at the Civic Centre in Pershore.

The proposal aimed to create the development on land off Cheltenham Road but attracted fierce opposition from villagers with about 100 people attending a parish council meeting in July to call for the rejection of the plans.

Speaking against the plans, parish councillor Rob Sly said the village was disappointed to be fighting a proposal that was not among the allocated sites under the emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan.

“We have worked really hard with the South Worcestershire Development Plan,”

said Coun Sly.

“This site is right on the extremity of the village and will generate an additional six per cent of journeys into the village.

“There are other sites in Bredon. The allotments and orchards create a beautiful entrance at the gateway of our village.”

Ward councillor Adrian Hardman agreed with villagers.

He said: “Obviously this is an unwelcome application made by a developer who has seen an opportunity to get past our local plan and our emerging plan.”

Coun Barry Parmenter was worried about extending the village towards Kinsham.

“The boundaries have moved once. We are moving it again but where do we stop? We would be in Kinsham and I think the council owes it to the people of Bredon and Kinsham to keep them apart.”

Thirteen members voted to reject the plans, with one councillor voting in favour.