PLANS for a controversial 400-home development in Alcester have finally been given the thumbs down, writse helen Clarke.

The appeal by Bloor Homes against Stratford Council's refusal to allow the development, on land off Allimore Lane, has been dismissed by the Secretary of State.

The proposals were originally turned down as Stratford Council felt Alcester could not cope with the influx of people and the land was not suitable for a development on this scale.

Bloor appealed and the issue went to a public inquiry.

District council planning portfolio holder Chris Williams said: "I'm pleased for the people of Alcester as they didn't want this.

"The Local Plan says housing developments of this nature should be in, or in close proximity to, Stratford and this land is not.

"It may have been suitable to build this five or 10 years ago but isn't now - you must follow today's guidelines and regulations."

A statement from the Government Office for the West Midlands states: "The Secretary of State is satisfied, on the basis of all the evidence which was considered at the inquiry, that the proposed development conflicts with the locations identified in the adopted Structure Plan for housing development.

"The Secretary of State agrees with the Inspector's conclusion that development on the scale proposed on this site is not appropriate and accepts his recommendation to dismiss the appeal."

A Bloor Homes spokesman said they had no comment to make.