A CONTROVERSIAL housing development near Evesham town centre will be considered by Wychavon planners today.

The proposal is to build six houses with garages on land off Princess Road.

It would involve the demolition of a 1930's house called Greenavon, a block of garages and two preserved trees.

Shurmer Development want to build the four bedroom detached houses with each home having its own garage.

There would also be a block of garages and the development would extend the existing access road.

An alternative proposal to develop the site with a pair of semi-detached houses and a bungalow was refused nine years ago on the grounds that part of it was outside a built up area and would set a precedent for other applications.

That decision was challenged but upheld at a subsequent planning appeal.

The revised planning application being considered now has attracted opposition from residents in the area.

Wychavon Council has received 23 individual letters of objection and a petition signed by 66 residents of Windsor Road, Victoria Avenue, Cambria Road and Princess Road.

Their concerns include traffic congestion and danger to children who play in the area.

Other residents claim that the proposal is similar to previous applications that have either been refused or withdrawn.

Planning officials are recommending that councillors refuse the application.

They contend that it is outside the defined development boundary of the Evesham district and would be an unacceptable intrusion into open countryside.

Officials also believe it would set a precedent for development on open land.