CONTROVERSIAL plans by QinetiQ to develop two sites at its Malvern base go before planners this week.

The technology company has applied to build 28 homes on the "barrack store" site behind Court Road and a further 28 on land next to the main entrance on St Andrew's Road.

The first plan will also require traffic lights to be installed at the Court Road/Thirlstane Road/St Andrew's Road junction.

Both plans have worried local residents, who fear the impact of extra traffic on the roads.

Both will be considered at a meeting of Malvern Hills District Council's southern area planning committee on Wednesday (June 25) and both are recommended for approval.

Sharon Coombes, of the Baxhill Fountain Nursery, on Court Road, said residents were likely to turn out in force on Wednesday.

They are meeting tonight (Friday), at 7pm, at the nursery to choose a representative to speak for them.

"It's a nice quiet area with a lot of old people living here," she said. "The extra houses will mean more traffic and more noise. People won't be able to park outside their homes any more."

Alan Threadgold, QinetiQ's estates manager, said the development would help fund the company's future development.

"I know there are objectors but in the long run it will be good for QinetiQ and good for Malvern. We're the town's biggest employer by quite a wide margin and we want our future to be secure," he said.

The traffic situation is likely to be exacerbated by a planning inspector's decision to approve a housing plan further down Court Road.

The plan to develop the Three Counties Garage with 14 houses was rejected by council planners in October.

But applicants Miton Ltd went to appeal and the council's decision was overruled.