ANIMAL-lovers are worried about plans to build five houses on Stourport land containing a badger sett.

Neighbours of the site on the junction of Bewdley Road and Vernon Road fear 15 badgers could be under threat in the plan by Timothy Smith Homes.

However, Wyre Forest District Council development control manager Mike Parker said the animals were not in peril. He said: "Badgers are a protected species. Any work which could involve the closure or relocation of a sett would have to be carried out with English Nature."