PLANS for two fishing lakes and 24 two- bedroom lodges on land between Leigh Sinton and Malvern were finally given the go-ahead by Malvern Hills District Council.

The development will see Upper Interfields farm, just off the A4503, add to its existing fishing lake and provide holiday accommodation.

Permission was granted at a Malvern Hills District Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday (October 8).

Despite councillors having approved the development by nine votes to eight at a meeting in August, the decision had been referred to the committee because of fears that it would violate Government guidelines on sustainable transport and building in the open countryside.

Officers advised members to block the development on the grounds that it would contribute towards the merging of Malvern and Leigh Sinton. They also said it would set a precedent for future attempts to build in the open countryside and raised fears that it would lead to increased car use.

However, the committee decided the development represents "planning gain", as it would result in the demolition of two large farm buildings used in the past for the storage of Christmas trees grown on the site.

"This can only improve what is there at the moment," said Coun Richard Manning (West Malvern).

However, Coun Roger Sutton (Upton) said he was worried about the signal it would send out to developers hungry to build outside urban areas.

The permission, which was granted by six votes to four, was conditional that the applicants, W J D Beard and Leigh Sinton Farm and Nurseries, must also remove a series of carbon polytunnels on the site.