COUNCILLORS say they need more information before they can decide whether to allow a massive housing and office development on the former Army Medals Office in Droitwich.

The only surviving pill box of its type in Worcestershire could be lost if plans to build office blocks, three storey flats and detached houses are given the go-ahead.

The box - a small building used to protect riflemen from coming under attack during World War Two - is one of only 150 recorded in the UK but its retention is due to be a condition of planning permission. Members of Wychavon District Council's development control committee did not to vote on the application and instead deferred the decision to visit the site.

The site was given to the MoD during the Second World War by the Everton family. Recent efforts by the family to stop it being sold to for development failed.

Peter Luff, MP for mid-Worcestershire, who fought against the office's closure, said he hoped the council made it as difficult as possible for the development to go ahead.

He added: "The heritage of the site needs to be commemorated.

"At least some mark of the history of the site and the war needs to be conserved.

"This was land that was transferred the MoD when a war was on and the MoD is now profiting from it."

The Worcestershire County Archeologist told Wychavon District Council that the pill box should be retained, conserved where it is and incorporated into the scheme.

But planning officers say it will almost certainly have to move from its current location because it would end up in a back garden.

No suggestions have been put forward for its use and developers would only be asked to make "every effort" to keep it under planning conditions.

Wychavon development control committee administrator Chris Wilkes said: "The matter was defered for a site visit because members feel they don't have all the information they need to make a decision."

The development would see a courtyard of two and three storey office blocks and 46 homes, including three-storey flats and a mix of semi-detached, detached and terraced houses.

Council officers recommend approval despite objections from nearby residents.

The Worcester Road site manufactured and distributed army medals before it was closed in March last year.

The application was submitted by chartered surveyors Drivers Jonas on behalf of Defence Estates, an agency of the MoD.