DOZENS of new homes are to be built on the outskirts of Evesham as planners gave the first of a two part planning application the go ahead.

The two applications for 60 and 70 new homes at Aldington Lodge, of Offenham Road in Evesham, by ALW Developments LLP appeared before the planning committee at Wychavon District Council on Thursday.

But the proposals, which differed in size and had different access points proposed, received different outcomes as the committee followed the advise of their officers.

A long debate took place concerning the first application for 60 homes, which required access via a roundabout to be built by a neighbouring planner, before it was given the go-ahead.

Councillors were concerned the homes in question would not be built within the next five years as the neighbouring developer could hold back on building the roundabout in order to postpone a competitor selling homes in the same location.

Cllr Adrian Darby said: "It does seem to me there's some doubt about the deliverability of this because surely these developments are going to be in competition with one another.

"They won't want to build the roundabout until they have sold some of their houses. We are only considering this because we have a shortage in the five year land supply. By the time that thing is built we almost certainly will have five year land supply."

But Cllr Darby asked if the land would be included in the expanded version of the South Worcestershire Development Plan, as it would be destructive not to approve it if that was the case.

Georgio Framalicco, head of planning at Wychavon, responded saying the sites in the new SWDP had not yet been confirmed but that it was possible this would be included.

Cllr Ken Jennings said he could see no problem with the application as it was extension to the neighbouring development and Cllr Tom Noyes said he too could see no problems and it was voted through.

The second application, which would be accessed directly off the Offenham Road and was recommended for refusal was quickly rejected by planners in accordance with their officers advise.