PLANS for 25,500 new homes to be built across south Worcestershire will be scrapped.

The scheme for the homes, set to be built as part of the controversial regional spatial strategy, will be abolished by the new coalition Government.

West Worcestershire MP, Harriett Baldwin, said she had received written confirmation from Minister of State at the Cabinet office, Oliver Letwin.

She said: “I have fought for the last two years to bring an end to this senseless strategy which has brought nothing but worry for people threatened by massive housing development.

“As soon as I was elected, I wrote to the Government to seek assurances that the RSS abolition would remain as part of our plans in this new coalition government.

“Today, Oliver Letwin MP, who negotiated the coalition agreement, wrote to me to confirm this has been agreed.

Eric Pickles MP, who is the new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, will be responsible for implementing the pledge.”