A PLAN to build 40 homes in Fernhill Heath looks set to be approved by councillors.

The homes, due to be built on land between Sling Lane and the Old Drive off Droitwich Road on the eastern edge of Fernhill Heath, were backed in principle by Wychavon District Council planners in January.

Council planning officers have recommended the plan is approved when the council's planning committee meets next Thursday (October 17).

The Piper Homes plan includes seven four-bed, 17 three-bed, 11 two-bed and five one-bed homes as well as two bungalows.

Two-and-a-half acres of green space are included in a triangle shape to the south of the homes away from Droitwich Road as well as short ‘buffer’ space between the homes and the A38.

The nearly five-acre site is bordered by the A38 to the north and the grade II-listed Fernhill House and Hindlip House are nearby.

Homes have already been built to the west and a number of fields border the site to the south.

The site was allocated specifically for housing in the North Claines Development Plan.

Five objections were made against the plan by neighbours due to several concerns.

Neighbours said the developer had tried to cram too many homes into a small space, would be out-of-character with the rest of the area and the increase in traffic would be dangerous to pedestrians.

Some of the objections also said there was no need for more housing in Fernhill Heath, the plan did not include enough green space and there were not enough spaces at local schools to cope with the extra homes.

Despite objectors saying the plans would be out-of-keeping with the character of the area, council planning officers concluded the designs were suitable and high quality.

The report said: "On the whole the scheme is considered to represent high quality development in terms of layout, scale and design.

"It also offers benefits in terms of housing supply, including affordable housing provision."