BADSEY councillors say they will have to apply for city status if housing estates carry on getting the go ahead in their village.

The group of unhappy councillors have called for something to be done about the number of planning applications being approved in Badsey.

Currently the village has increased by 279 dwelling, 25 percent, since 2011, according to figures obtained by the parish council.

And they say if a further 224 homes, which the council has been approached about but that do not yet form part of any submitted planning applications, are approved, this will mean an increase of about 45 percent in the past three years.

Mary Campbell, parish councillor, said they no longer understand the planning process and were frustrated when the South Worcestershire Development Plan was rejected after they considered the 13 sites presented to them.

"Why don't the elected members stand up," she said. "We are not against housing but we don't have need in the village for commercial housing, there is need for young families.

"We bent over backwards to comply. We did a village plan, which cost about £1,000 and a lot of people's time. Eight days after we sent it off we were told we had to do a neighbourhood plan.

"We have had enough will have to apply for city status soon."

Chairman Gary Bailey added his concerns about infrastructure being in place.

He said: "It makes a mockery of the localism act. When the development for 90 Bretforton Road of 11 homes went to committee my argument was there is no footpaths for people to use into the village."

Cllr Bailey added he raised concerns about the safety of the Badsey Road when proposals were approved for 36 homes there last month and days later, on Monday, August 4, a serious crash occurred between a people carrier and a van on the same piece of road the homes will be built.

But Wychavon District Council said they consider all factors during the planning process.

Jack Hegarty, managing director at Wychavon, said: "Infrastructure and highways issues are always considered at the time of a planning application and advice taken from the county council as local highway authority.

"There has been a substantial number of planning applications approved across the whole district over the last couple of years to meet the requirements of government to both provide and maintain a five year supply of housing sites and meet the development plan housing targets.

"Where there is evidence that applications are deemed to be dangerous to highway safety then the council will refuse them."