THE deputy chairman of Worcester's planning committee has fired a warning over Middle Battenhall Farm - urging councillors not to rush their decision.

Councillor Geoff Williams says fellow politicians need to consider the implications "very carefully" before they go head-long into defending an appeal.

As your Worcester News revealed in July, developer Miller Homes has appealed to a national planning inspector over its bid for 200 homes on the ancient beauty spot.

The move comes after two months of a tense stand-off between the firm and Worcester City Council's planning committee, resulting in the 16-week time limit for either giving a firm 'yes' or 'no' lapsing.

Later this month, on Thursday, August 20 the committee will take a fresh vote on whether to defend the appeal or not.

If it decided not to fight the appeal, it will mean planning permission for the controversial development, which has attracted more than 1,000 objections, would effectively go ahead.

A report is currently being put together by planning officers which will offer councillors some guidance what to do.

The stakes are huge as defeat at the hands of an inspector could lumber taxpayers with paying the entire costs of the appeal, including those of Miller Homes - meaning the bill could spiral to six figures.

If the council defends the appeal and the case is dismissed, Miller Homes would face the same expensive fate.

Councillor Williams said: "The appeal doesn't come as a surprise, they've appealed on the grounds of non-determination and they've done that after sitting through the last planning committee meeting.

"Whatever the report says, the members will need to consider it very carefully.

"It's a decision all of them will have to weigh up individually, looking at the benefits and disbenefits and reach their own conclusions."

The land is supposed to be protected from development in the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP), a blueprint created by councillors, but it has yet to be signed off by a Government assessor, leaving a 'window' to exploit.

Some other members of the committee, including Councillor Robert Rowden, have pledged to fight Miller Homes' bid "tooth and nail".

The public objections include a raft of organisations like the Ramblers Association, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Battlefields Trust and various conservation and heritage experts as the site is home to a 900-year-old Scheduled Monument, with ancient ponds and a moat.