EIGHT new affordable homes will be built in Sherrards Green, Malvern.

The two-bedroom flats in four blocks will be built by Festival Housing on the site of a garage block and parking area off Moat Way, between Pound Bank Road and The Glade.

Despite objections from some local residents, permission was granted at a meeting of the southern area development control committee on Wednesday, December 21.

Brenda Pope, of Festival Housing, said there were currently more than 1,000 people on their waiting lists and because of the difficulty of acquiring new sites for social housing, Festival was trying to use it's own land.

Most of the garages on the site are unused and the land is currently plagued with anti-social behaviour, according to planning officers.

"I can see nothing but positive advantages from going ahead with the development," said Coun Clive Smith.