THE full scale of the objections against 200 homes being built on a popular Worcester beauty spot can today be revealed - as campaigners pledged to protest all the way.

A total of 207 people took part in a survey calling for Middle Battenhall Farm to be protected, while 137 nearby residents signed a petition calling for the proposed development to be shelved.

Worcester City Council has now closed its own public consultation on it, revealing 68 different written objections from the public.

The full scale of the protest comes as planning officials are currently leafing through the feedback before they form a view.

As your Worcester News first revealed last year, Miller Homes wants to build a new estate on the treasured site, which is off Redhill Lane.

A spokesman for Middle Battenhall Farm Action Group, which asked people to take part in an electronic questionnaire, said: "We had 209 responses and all but two were against it.

"The two that were for the development were from Stourport and left no contact details at all.

"Everyone else said the site should be left as it is, that it is the wrong site for development and that they are concerned over traffic.

"What it shows is just how widespread the feeling is, and it wasn't just signed by local residents but people from all over."

Steve McKay, who is standing for the Conservatives in the Battenhall city council ward in May, collected 137 names on a petition.

He said: "This is an amenity for walking, cycling, taking your kids out - it's a very important landscape in an area which is otherwise very built up.

"This is not nimbyism, it's about people wanting to protect an area which is very important to them."

Both parties have now submitted their separate objections to the city council as part of the consultation.

The land is not earmarked for any properties in the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP), which earmarks suitable sites in Worcester, Malvern and Evesham by 2030.

The proposal is now expected to come before the city council's planning committee as soon as June.

Miller Homes insists the land is suitable for development, saying it is close to vital transport links and amenities.

A spokesman said: "“The proposal benefits from being able to locate up to 200 homes close to existing facilities.

“The site is a sustainable location and avoids the need to release greenbelt land for housing around Worcester."

The company also says it wants to invest in sections of the site which will remain open green space, including interpretation boards near an ancient fish pond.