RESIDENTS living on a new Bromsgrove estate are ready to fight plans for more houses on a site originally set aside for shops and a nursery.

The site off Regents Park Road, in The Oakalls, is currently an open area of undeveloped land which was held for five years with the aim of providing local amenities. Now property developers Gallagher estates has put in a planning application for 60 homes on the site and residents fear the chance of local shops will disappear.

"We bought our house because the original plans had shops," said Karen Moore, of nearby Osbourne Road. "It's even marked on an A to Z map from four years ago as a local centre. We need that more than houses. This was supposed to be a rural village but there's nothing here. You have to leave to get to the shops and there's only one way out."

A spokesman for Bromsgrove District Council planning office said they had given Gallaghers five years to sell the land for shops before it could be released for other uses and the time is about to run out.

One plan was submitted, by Marshgate Developments, for a convenience store, two shops, a flat and a children's nursery, but it was withdrawn in July 2002.

Councillor Dr Elizabeth Lammie (Ind - Slideslow) said there were already more than 900 homes on the estate and no local facilities.

"People were promised local shops and a lot of young mums were relying on a nursery," she said.

"Although it's near Bromsgrove, it's really very cut off. There are complaints about the difficulties of getting in and out. This plan should be opposed very seriously."

Mrs Moore said she had written to Bromsgrove's MP Julie Kirkbride and had spoken to a number of neighbours who were preparing to protest at the plan.

She said she was organising a petition to hand in before the deadline for objections in two weeks' time and anyone wanting to sign could contact her on 01527 835793.

The new plans are for smaller, more affordable homes than those already on the estate.

Gallaghers were unavailable for comment.