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

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin said she had written confirmation from Cabinet Office minister Oliver Letwin that the controversial West Midlands regional would go.

Under the strategy, first published in 2004, the Labour government demanded a increase in the numbers of houses built in the area.

Thousands were set to be built in places such as Lower Broadheath, Norton, Fernhill Heath and Salwarpe, near Droitwich.

Plans also included new railway halts and a 25 hectare commercial development off Junction 6 (Sixways) of the M5.

Protest groups emerged across South Worcestershire opposing the plan.

News of its abolition was welcomed by Worcester city councillor David Tibbutt, cabinet member for urban renaissance.

Coun Tibbutt said he had not seen any paperwork but if the abolition was confirmed he would be very pleased. He said: “It will be the opportunity to review what we need in Worcester based on what Worcester, Malvern and Wychavon people feel is necessary.”

He said he believed the three councils would still work together and would be able to build on the time already spent on the RSS.

Worcester city councillor Francis Lankester, responsible for strategic housing, said the 25,500 figure sas a “fantasy”. He said: “Everybody agreed the infrastructure could not be built to support that level of housing and could not be afforded even if practical.”

He said he believed a reasonable number of homes would be built but added: “We won’t be concreting over huge swathes of green around Worcester.”

No plans have emerged on what house-building will take place.

A spokeswoman from the department for Communities and Local Government said: “The new government is committed to giving a greater say to people, communities and councils. This will include abolishing regional strategies with their centrally imposed housing targets.”

Jack Hegarty, managing director at Wychavon district council said: “The decision to abolish regional strategies is not unexpected. We will need to wait and see what future housing targets will be.”