DISAPPOINTED Droitwich residents living near St Andrew's House Hotel have written to complain about Wychavon District Council's handling of a recent planning appeal - after a Government inspector granted permission to build.Controversial plans to extend the hotel in Worcester Road were put under the spotlight last month by a member of the Government's national Planning Inspectorate who spent more than four hours listening to opposing views during a public inquiry.

The hearing came about after the council turned down two suggested schemes, including a two-storey extension with ten bedrooms and conference and banqueting facilities, with and without a conservatory.

Owners LGH Ltd appealed against the decision and last week inspector Tony Walden announced he would allow an appeal against the rejection of the smaller scheme.

The hotel is now free to put its plans, excluding the conservatory, into action.

But angry residents have hit out at the council and written to ask it to investigative why the appeal was lost.

Campaigner Mark Heel said: "We are disappointed and feel the planning department let down residents and their councillors during the inquiry."

Wychavon's head of planning, Jack Hegarty, said: "The decision is a partial victory for the council. The inspector, while allowing one of the appeals, in his comments was strongly against the proposals and only allowed it on the basis of a previous decision on the site.

"I have looked into the way the appeal took place and I am fully satisfied."

In 1996, the authority granted permission for a banqueting and conference room and 14 bedrooms.