HEALTH Concern has been accused of hypocrisy following a decision to throw out plans to improve a nursing home's facilities.

Lickhill Manor Nursing Home, Stourport, had its proposals to build three new extensions for disabled residents rejected by Wyre Forest District Council's planning (development control) committee on Tuesday.

Councillors followed planning chiefs' recommendations but Health Concern, which has a slight majority on the committee, has been charged with ignoring voters' core concerns.

Liz Davies, the district leader of the party - formed to fight the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital - sympathised with Lickhill Manor's plight but stressed councillors "could not and should not" disregard government planning guidance.

Philip Connell, a director of St Cloud Care which took over the home last year, said: "When you have people who have presented themselves to the electorate saying 'we are here to defend health care facilities' and who then vote to refuse proposals, they need to ask themselves who they represent."

He argued the project - including improved bathroom facilities and better wheelchair access for the nine disabled residents - outweighed planning concerns.

"The nearest equivalent facility is in Redditch," he said.

Mrs Davies, whose party has half the seats on the 22-strong planning committee but maintains a casting vote, defended the verdict.

"Many of us were unhappy perhaps that we couldn't take a different decision but as was clearly outlined by planning officers the rules were very, very clear in this case."

The two single-storey and one two-storey additions to the Grade II* -listed nineteenth century building would have provided nine new bedrooms. At present, the home has a total of 29 residents.

Planners recommended refusal as Lickhill Manor is in green belt land, and because English Heritage considered the project harmful to the listed structure.

Destruction of trees covered by a preservation order and damage to the landscape, designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value, were also cited.

But Mr Connell said the trees under threat were mostly "weeds" - fast-growing Leylandii - and the site was surrounded on up to three sides by a caravan area. He said the main building would also have been restored and an existing wooden outbuilding demolished.

St Cloud Care will appeal against the decision and launch a new application to the district council.