WHILE local people and politicians voiced their concern over the proposals, council bosses were keen to move quick to get the message across that the plans are the first step on a very long road.

County council Liberal Democrat leader Coun Tom Wells said it "beggars belief" that so many green sites were being considered for it.

He said: "I firmly believe the city council should examine brownfield sites first before entering the greenfield sites surrounding the city."

"Once built upon, it will be lost. It's clear to me that this is a major housing expansion - it beggars belief that the consultants had even considered our ancient flood meadows."

Olive Cook, aged 82, who lives along Edward's Lane, Spetchley, said: "I'm not sure if I like the plans. The whole area will totally change, won't it? I moved up here from London. It's very quite around here. It will be a bit like living in London now.

"I'm in two minds about it, though - having more people around might improve the area a bit and give us a better bus service."

County council deputy leader and planning boss Coun Alwyn Davies said: "This is the first stage in a very long process that will end up with the Government deciding what changes will be made.

"We have been asked to show how we can build more homes and this is what we have came up with.

"Even after the consultation is done, nothing is decided because each district council will have to look at them and adopt them into local plans."

Leader of the city council Coun Simon Geraghty said: "I welcome the fact that our communities will be fully engaged in the consultation and that we are working together to manage growth in a rational and planned way."

Leader of Wychavon district council Martin Jennings said: "One hopes the overall impact of the strategy, a concentration on economic and sustainable development, is to the advantage of the residents and businesses, leading to a better quality of life."

Diane Tilley, director of planning and performance at Worcestershire County Council, said: "The message we want to get across is that people should not panic. Nothing has been decided yet - this is just the start."

Worcester Green Party spokesman Chris Lennard said: "This is all a bit of a shock - we are talking about a lot of homes. What they should be looking at is brownfield sites. I know we need more house building. These public consultations must be genuine because it is vital we consider what each community needs and has to say."