A PLAN by the supermarket chain Lidl to build a store in Malvern Link was refused planning permission this week.

Members of Malvern Hills District Council's southern area planning committee voted overwhelmingly to turn down the scheme to develop the former garage site off Worcester Road.

A petition opposing the plan, containing more than 800 signatures, had been sent to the council, along with 75 letters of objection.

Dozens of objectors crowded into the meeting at Priory Lodge Hall, Avenue Road, to hear the committee's decision.

Tom Falcon, who lives opposite the site and was one of the petition's organisers, said: "We're delighted with the result. Our only fear is that Lidl might appeal against this ruling. But if they do, we'll carry on the fight."

The council opposed the plan because it would have harmed the conservation area, the building would have dominated neighbours, for reasons of highway safety and because two mature lime trees on the pavement would have been lost.

Members spoke out strongly about the plan's likely impact on the already-congested lower Link traffic. Coun David Watkins (Link) said: "In the last seven days I have seen traffic gridlocked along Worcester Road from the Safeway roundabout all the way up to the Graham Road junction."

An application by Lidl to knock down the existing buildings on the premises was turned down but a further one to demolish a modern extension to a 19th Century house on the site was allowed.

A Lidl spokesman said: "We're aware of the decision and we're considering the planning options. That's all we want to say at this time.