A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build 14 homes at a farm off Guarlford Road, Malvern, has been granted on appeal.

The application for Mill Farm was refused permission last year by Malvern Hills District Council, against the advice of officers.

The council said the development would have an "imposing and unacceptable impact" on existing farm buildings and nearby houses. It also said the design was over-elaborate and out of character with the listed farm buildings.

Applicant Crest Nicholson (Midlands) Ltd appealed against the decision and a Department of the Environment inspector ruled that the new buildings would "generally respect" existing buildings would not cause demonstrable harm to the amenities of neighbouring houses.

A spokesman for Crest Nicholson said yesterday (Thursday): "No date has yet been finalised as to when construction work is to start."

Mill Farm, on the edge of Malvern's built-up area, has been the site of a number of applications for housing in recent years. After several attempts, and against the wishes of residents, outline application was granted in 2002. The application just granted on appeal is for reserved matters.

Betty Yapp, of Bluebell Close, one of the residents who objected to the proposal, said: "Most families have two cars and it's all that extra traffic on to Guarlford Road that's our main worry."

John Bullock, of Mill Farm, has also made several applications for new farm buildings on different sites further east along Guarlford Road. These also proved controversial, one resulting in more than 300 objections before being refused.