CONTROVERSIAL outline plans to build affordable homes in a village in rural Worcestershire have been given the go-ahead.

A developer applied to put 16 houses on a plot at the western end of cul-de-sac Banks Road in Badsey, near Evesham.

But villagers are furious and have sent 20 letters of objection and a petition against the development, signed by 41 people, to Wychavon District Council.

Council planning officers had recommended conditional approval for the outline plan, subject to a legal agreement about affordable housing, contributions for community space and more detailed planning surveys.

At a meeting on Wednesday, April 28, Phillippa Jones, speaking on behalf of residents in Banks Road and Oak Close, off Birmingham Road, said traffic would increase if the development ahead.

“There’s a separate £3 million development planned elsewhere, which we feel will increase traffic on the Birmingham Road, which is already heavily congested.”

Badsey and Aldington Parish Council also objected on grounds of drainage, traffic, design and over-development.

Gregory Gray, on behalf of the developer, said: “We will consult with residents and give them a chance to express their views.”

Councillor Reg Jakeman said the development was “the wrong side of Badsey” and new residents would only add to existing road congestion.

However, highways officer Gareth Jones said he currently had no objections because details such as road layout would come up for agreement once a full application came to committee. Coun Jakeman also said the plan was “full of holes” on drainage and traffic issues but planning officer Jonathan Edwards reiterated to councillors that the application was an outline only and details such as road and development layout would come up for discussion ahead of a full application.

Gill Collin, head of planning services, said deferring the application for more detail would hurt the council as the application would not have been determined within the Government-set 13-week time limit, which starts from the date the application is first tabled.

Councillor Judy Pearce, elected planning chief, said: “I apologise to the people of Badsey who don’t want this development but we’ll fall foul of our own planning policies if we don’t approve, so I move approval.”

Members of Wychavon planning and development control committee approved the application by 11 votes to 7.

A full application will now be submitted setting out in more detail how the development will look.

Planners will consider this proposal at a future date.