A NEW development of 10 affordable homes in Bransford, near Worcester, has been given the go-ahead after councillors were convinced the site posed no risk from chemical contamination.

Festival Housing Association has been seeking permission to build the houses on an old bowling green next to the Bank House hotel, to tackle the need for more affordable housing in the village.

But the application was thrown out in October, with members of Malvern Hills District Council raising concerns that the site may be contaminated with dangerous chemicals.

Fears were raised over the presence of benzo-alpha-pyrene, known to cause cancer, in soil on the land.

There were reassurances from Worcestershire Regulatory Services that it was not in the areas of the proposed homes and contamination was not a significant issue.

However, after further investigation the application returned to the district council’s northern area development control committee last week and was approved.

John Sharp, chairman of Leigh and Bransford Parish Council, said he had been frustrated by the delay but was delighted the homes had now been approved.

He said a housing needs survey carried out last year by the parish council and housing enabler Community First had identified an urgent need for 10 affordable homes.

He said: “The initial application for the site went in at the start of April so it has been a long, hard fight but we have got there. We are delighted because there are people in our parish who are desperately in need of this type of housing.”

Worcestershire developer Wolverley Homes will be working with Festival Housing to deliver the new homes.

Coun Sharp said he was hopeful work could get under way before Christmas.