CALLS OF "rubbish" and "disgraceful" were directed at a Wychavon planning officer when he advised an inspector not to put too much weight on a petition for a post office in Cropthorne.

Area planning officer, Mark Lynch, was speaking at a two-day appeal hearing held at the Civic Centre in Pershore on December 17 and 18.

Roy and Kim Summers want permission to run a post office and store from their home in Middle Lane but were turned down by Wychavon District Council earlier this year.

A petition in support was sent to Wychavon District Council, containing 138 residents' signatures. At the planning appeal, attended by more than 30 Cropthorne villagers, Mr Lynch said: "It was organised by a concerned local resident going along the various streets and lanes and calling from door to door. Anybody will sign a petition in order to get someone off the doorstep."

Mr Lynch confirmed that, subsequently, the district council commissioned its own study - by outside independent professionals - that prompted 150 replies from the 220 questionnaires sent out. All of them supported a post office in the village, although 35 indicated they did not mind where it went.

Mr Lynch outlined the council's prime objections. He said the shop's chances of survival in Middle Lane were less, compared to its previous location in Main Street.

The introduction of a commercial enterprise in Middle Lane would harm the nearby residents' amenities and the extra traffic generated in the narrow road would present an unacceptable safety risk, he added.

Representing the Summers, Satnam Choongh (ok) said: "There is overwhelming support for a post office and shop at this location. The nearby roads and junctions are not ideal and there is going to be some impact on residential amenity but the real issue is whether the proposal is unacceptable or do the benefits in providing a local shop outweigh any disadvantages?"

The Government inspector, John Greenwood, is expected to determine the appeal early in the new year.