PLANS to build 200 homes on a popular Worcester beauty spot have been unanimously opposed by St Peter's Parish Council.

The council has joined the fight against the bid from Miller Homes for housing on the green fields at Middle Battenhall Farm in the hope it will be thrown out by Worcester City Council planners.

Cllr Mike Johnson, the parish council's vice chairman, said: "It has already been to planning and it has already been rejected once. Have they answered all the queries from the planning inspector? You have to assume they have."

County councillor Marc Bayliss believes the proposals are the "thin end of the wedge" and has concerns any development of the site could lead to more homes built and eventually see it join up with the ward of St Peter's.

"I don't think the infrastructure is sufficient to cater for that and it certainly won't be to cater for hundreds more.

A government planning inspector has ruled that the number of properties in the South Worcestershire Development Plan must be increased by 22 per cent before it can be accepted - taking the total to more than 28,000 homes.

The Middle Battenhall Farm site is not covered by the plan and if the city council refuses the application, the developer could take it to appeal.

An inspector would then be tasked with either throwing it out or overturning the decision on the grounds south Worcestershire needs more development.