A VITAL blueprint earmarking land for 28,370 homes across south Worcestershire has been accepted by a Government inspector - bringing an end to 10 years of controversy.

The South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) has formally been handed the go-ahead by an independent inspector.

The dossier will mean swathes of land not earmarked for building will be protected, with community leaders today hailing it as a "massive boost".

The news will also potentially significantly strengthen Worcester City Council's case in its battle to protect Middle Battenhall Farm, where developer Miller Homes has gone to appeal in its bid to build 200 properties there.

The entire process of having an updated plan for South Worcestershire started all the way back in 2006, as part of a regional strategy that was eventually ripped up by the old Coalition Government.

The new-look SWDP has since been back and forth among all the district councils in Worcester, Malvern and Wychavon and often led to bitter disputes before a draft version was released with provision for 22,200 homes.

Inspector Roger Clews started to examine it in 2013 and controversially decreed that the number must be upped to 28,370 - which has been duly delivered.

In his findings, released today, he called the plan "sound" and "legally compliant", with all three councils now invited to formally adopt it later this month.

The plan will last up to 2030 and also includes land for 25,000 jobs spread across 309 hectares of land during the same period.

Worcester MP Robin Walker has hailed the breakthrough "fantastic" and paid tribute to councillors and the public for reaching the end.

"It's really good news, with plans like this there's always an element of controversy but it means we can get on with more housing and jobs while protecting our green spaces," he said.

"My biggest concern was that the longer it took, the greater the chances of having all sorts of unwanted planning applications going through on appeal."

Councillor Melanie Baker, who chaired a joint advisory panel on the SWDP, said: "It’s fantastic news that the inspector has given the plan a clean bill of health.

"I am hoping all three councils can now move rapidly to adopting the plan, which will be a vital tool in delivering the economic growth we need and providing the housing our current and future residents want."

Battenhall resident Ken Layton, 61, one of the campaigners against developer Middle Battenhall Farm, said: "It's just what we wanted, this is brilliant news.

"I know people take about the problems with congestion from all the new homes, but if there wasn't a plan in place developers would be building left, right and centre.

"It should help us out but when you think about it all of Worcestershire will benefit."

Councillor Geoff Williams, the vice-chairman of the city council's planning committee, said: "Once in place it should enable us to attract development that brings economic, social and environmental benefits to the city which also protects and enhances our important historic heritage."

The final plan takes into account 8,623 homes already built over the last decade and all the sites currently under construction.

Worcester is taking more than 9,400 properties including two major extensions, one which will be south of the city on fields off Crookbarrow Way in a £400 million 2,600-home 'super village' including a school, doctor's surgery and parks.

There will also be a so-called 'west Worcester urban extension' of 2,150 properties at Temple Laugherne, near Lower Broadheath featuring a primary school and business park.

Malvern is taking in more than 5,900 homes while Wychavon is taking over 10,000.

Old pubs, scrub land, swimming pools, fields, former industrial units and all sorts of other vacant plots of land are due to be developed.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

MR Clews' report runs to more than 50 pages and states that the three councils can now all move towards formally adopting it.

The district authorities in Worcester, Malvern and Wychavon will now each need to have separate votes, which will take place on Tuesday, February 23 and Wednesday, February 24.

The votes will be a formality as each council had already agreed to send the current SWDP to the inspector.

It means the planning committees of each council can then use it as a 'live document', guiding decision-making on bids from developers.

It cannot stop speculative developers trying to use the appeal system to build on protected land, but any independent inspector will look to the SWDP as a guide themselves, making it extremely unlikely.

Back in October Prime Minister David Cameron called for Britain's counties to stop dithering in creating their own local plans, saying areas without one by 2017 faced having ministers come in and do it for them.

South Worcestershire now has no such fears, with it now in the best position to throw out unwanted development for a decade.

Developers will also have to make contributions to open space, roads and school places under mechanisms known as Section 106 agreements.

Beyond the two big Worcester extensions, other significant developments include 1,250 homes split across the city centre including 230 at the old Crown Packaging site and 169 homes at Gregory's Bank industrial estate.

Around 750 homes are included on old workshop units near Shrub Hill railway station while 250 properties are earmarked for Gwillam's Farm, Claines and 300 are included off Swinesherd Way.

Some 8,000-plus homes already have planning approval on top of the 8,623 built under the plan by March last year.