POPULAR green playing fields in Worcester are going to be concreted over for six affordable homes - despite 156 people signing a petition against it.

Fortis Living has secured permission for the two-bed bungalows on land known locally as the horse shoe in Langdale Drive, Warndon.

The decision was voted through by Worcester City Council's planning committee by the narrowest of margins despite the outcry.

People living around it say the greenery has been used for years for sport, children's activities, as a meeting place for young people and jubilee events.

But it was earmarked in the emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) for 10 properties, meaning some kind of change had been likely.

The planning committee voted it through despite angry protestations from a former city mayor Councillor Roger Berry, who argued against it despite devoting much of his political career to affordable housing.

On top of the 156-name petition, 25 people had written letters to the council calling for a reprieve.

Councillor Berry said: "We shouldn't ignore the fact 156 people have said 'we don't want it', what we should do is actually value this green space.

"If you've lived there for over 60 years, which a lot of people have, you've already watched a lot of your amenity space go.

"The real importance of having a playing space has been expressed perfectly - once you've developed this people's lives will be changed forever.

"I'm not against social housing, my record shows that, but with this I think it's important to say no."

He made his comments after a resident, Chris Patrick of Langdale Drive, turned up to say "100 per cent" of people were against it.

"The horse shoe, as it's referred to locally, is the only green space left in the area," she said.

The development, which will come with 18 parking spaces, will still see around 50 per cent of the green retained to include a seating area, bulb planting and small trees.

But it divided opinion on the committee, with some councillors saying the fact the unit are affordable - and there were less than 10 - were plus points.

Councillor Paul Denham said: "It's quite a difficult balancing act - I'm very well aware of the lack of open space in this area, particularly for children.

"I'm also acutely aware we have large numbers of people on the housing waiting list, and people who would love to live in bungalows given the opportunity."

He said bearing in mind the land is earmarked for development in the SWDP, but this was for six homes and not 10, he was "just about persuaded" to support it.

Councillor Mike Johnson said "in an ideal world" they would not accept it, but added: "Unfortunately we don't live in an ideal world."

It was voted through 5-4.