NEIGHBOURS opposing a proposed housing development in Dark Lane, Astwood Bank, were awaiting news last night as councillors met to decide whether it could go ahead.

Bradley Design Homes applied to Redditch Council to build nine five-bedroom homes to the back of Astwood House.

The main opposition comes from residents who objected to the development because they said it would be too exposed with little screening and potentially overlooked some properties. There were also concerns about traffic into and out of the site.

The land already has preliminary permission for housing development so councillors were meeting to discuss details.

Meanwhile, council officers have recommended an application to build six detached homes off Badger Brook Lane, Avenue Road, in Astwood Bank be refused.

They felt the development by JS Bloor of Tewkesbury would substantially harm protected trees and be detrimental to the character of the area.

Neighbours of the site had been particularly worried about the loss of trees within the site as well as along the access road.

The council's arboricultural officer felt the development would 'dramatically alter the landscape of the area'.