YET another battle has been launched on behalf of beleaguered Throckmorton residents - this time against plans by DERA to store cars on the former airfield near Pershore.

Villagers living around the site are already on alert, after Maff announced last week it was considering reopening the foot and mouth burial site for culled animals from Yorkshire.

In the same week plans were submitted to Worcestershire County Council for permission to expand the Hill and Moor landfill site nearby.

But now the government radar agency's plans have been revealed for car storage at the site, villagers feel besieged from all quarters.

Wychavon district councillor Malcolm Argyle said: "We will fight these plans every step of the way.

"More lorries will be blocking the already totally inadequate roads and, according to the plans, the cars will be visible on land outside the designated area considered as a brown field site."

But DERA press officer Jonathan Byrne said: "We have submitted the plans for temporary planning permission on behalf of a major car manufacturer.

"If they are passed, apart from the initial delivery of the cars on transporters, there will only be 10 vehicle movements a day.

"We will also ensure that these deliveries do not coincide with peak traffic hours."

But villagers are not convinced and are already drawing up battle lines.

Coun Argyle said: "It is essential that everyone in the area makes their feelings known to the county.

"Also on July 13 the proposed Local Plan, draw up by Wychavon, will be on show between noon and 7pm at Wyre Piddle village hall.

"Is it is essential as many people as possible see it.

"Villagers must be aware that developers are trying to earmark open fields for development and unless residents turn out in force to tell planners how they want to see the land developed or not developed over the next 10 years, decisions will be made without them."