RESIDENTS in Wychavon have been given a second chance to help decide the future of planning in the district - after completely slating ideas put forward by the council.

The Wychavon District Council Local Plan was sent out for consultation last year and received a total of 3,000 comments, of which 2,500 were objections.

"It certainly took us by surprise that so many people responded, but even more so by the number who weren't happy," said policy manager David Tomaney.

"The council has taken these comments on board and changed the document to produce this revised plan.

"And again we want the people to have their say - but it's important to tell us what we've got right as well as what we've got wrong."

A key function of the Local Plan is to identify new land for housing, employment and retail development.

Homes

The district council has been ordered by Worcestershire County Council to find sites for 1,300 houses and 20 hectares of land for jobs by 2011.

That meant the council had to come up with unpopular ideas - and might still do so, said Mr Tomaney.

"We have made quite a few changes, including deleting a number of housing sites. Plans for 300 houses on land off Badsey Road in Evesham have been scrapped, as have those in Sedgeberrow.

"There has also been a revision of housing sites involving the redevelopment of garage courts in Droitwich and Pershore, and we have included a site for mixed use development in Bewdley Lane, Evesham, to include 40 new homes.

Copies of the revised plan are on display at Pershore's Civic Centre, the Evesham Community Contact Centre, at the Droitwich Spa One Stop Shop and in most libraries in the area.

Comment forms are available at all of the above locations.

They can be sent back to Jack Hegarty, head of planning, Wychavon District Council, Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, WR10 1PT, by Thursday, September 18.