CAMPAIGNERS have written an open letter to a planning firm urging them to give up the ghost on a controversial application.

The note, from the Hospital Lane Action Group, calls on Selbourne Homes to withdraw their plans to build on a site in Powick that is riddled with asbestos.

Proposals to build 61 homes on the land off Hospital Lane were unanimously turned down by Malvern Hills District Council's planning committee last month.

An inspection by Wilson Associates late last year found asbestos in eight samples taken at the former landfill site.

Selbourne has appealed the decision and the plans will be re-examined by the Planning Inspectorate later this year.

Peter Huntington from the action group has penned the 800-word letter to Selbourne's managing director Gavin Warr.

He describes residents as being "up in arms about this proposed development" and says they "will fight it tooth and nail".

Mr Huntington wrote: "As the asbestos on the site is fibrous in nature, much of it is invisible to the naked eye.

"It is a killer.

"It is difficult to envisage how its continuing presence could be mitigated.

"Once disturbed, it risks being breathed in by workers, residents, children on the nearby playing field and passers-by.

"It will be on the tyres of lorries leaving the site.

"If the houses are ever completed, then the asbestos will be an ever present silent danger to gardeners and those building home extensions and other structures...

"Why not cut your losses now and bow out gracefully?"

Residents were worried about development of the site, as three types of asbestos were discovered there by the Environment Agency in 1998.

It was subsequently made safe for agricultural use.

The land is currently used for grazing, but in the past was used for landfill when the old Powick hospital was demolished.

Selbourne Homes were asked for a comment but did not respond before we went to press.