CITY councillors have demanded an alternative site be found for Worcestershire's busiest waste tip.

During yesterday's planning meeting, the committee strongly disagreed with the county council's decision to keep Bilford Road open until 2003.

Last year, Mercia Waste Management appealed when its application to extend and refurbish the site was turned down.

A three-day inquiry was launched and, despite fierce objection from residents, councillors agreed to give the company, due to stop work by December 31, two years to relocate.

Head of planning and economic development Mark Middleton reminded councillors this was a chance to put their views on record, not to make a decision.

"This is not related to the company's proposals but to the existing site," he said.

Protester Helen McCabe, on behalf of local residents, stood up to urge councillors to find another site.

"It has a detrimental effect on residents, with extended opening hours, noise from compactors, and inadequate access," she said.

"Disabled and elderly residents who live just 50 metres away feel their basic human rights are being violated and are prisoners in their own homes.

"There have been seven road accidents, the last occurring while the Government inspector was on site."

Ward Councillor Mary Drinkwater also warned of the many accidents and near misses.

"Mercia Waste have had extension after extension after extension and these people have suffered enough," she said.

But Councillor Geoff Williams said it was easy to become "hysterical".

"It's about practical issues," he said. "We need to allow a certain amount of time for them to be addressed."

Councillor Paul Denham agreed the facilities should be kept open until an alternative site is found.

"It will cause even more problems if it is shut, probably for Hallow Road and Malvern," he said. "I just hope it will be a lot less than two years."