A DEVELOPER has won an appeal to build homes next to a Bewdley pub, bringing to an end more than 18 months of wrangling over the site.

The Planning Inspectorate has overturned a council decision not to allow bungalows and apartments to be built next to the Waggon and Horses in Kidderminster Road, Wribbenhall.

Members of Wyre Forest District Council's planning (development control) committee refused permission to Hyperion Homes in January for three detached bungalows and one apartment block comprising six, two-bedroom apartments.

The firm had, at first, moved to knock down the pub last May but came up with the compromise scheme after an outcry from regulars.

Hyperion director, Richard Sherratt, said the appeal was "an awful waste of everybody's time".

He added: "We have won but it has cost us a lot of money to get there. I am very pleased and we are looking forward to starting the development."

The council did not oppose the apartment block on the car park next to the pub but the three bungalows on a grassy area to the pub's rear.

This area, however, was nothing but a "giant dog toilet", said Waggon and Horses landlord, Steve Eaton, who backed the development plan.

He explained: "I can't understand how people would like that rather than three houses."

The appeal rested on the planning committee's reason for refusal - that the land at the back of the pub did not constitute previously developed land and, therefore, went against planning policy.

Planning inspector, Michael Hetherington, said the definition of previously developed land could be satisfied in part by the fact the land had previously been a beer garden.

The council argued the land had taken on the appearance of an amenity area and blended into the landscape.

Mr Hetherington, however, said steps and the remains of a shed were features which "combine to distinguish the site from other amenity areas in the locality".

Hyperion did not make an application to reclaim legal costs from the district council.