A LEGAL spat about a controversial 500-home development in Worcestershire can today be revealed - with furious council chiefs saying a road has been left "unsafe".

The dispute centres around the emerging Yew Tree Hill estate in Droitwich, where a developer has been embroiled in a row with Wychavon District Council over an access road.

The multi-million pound development was awarded planning permission by former Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles in 2014, angering Wychavon District Council, which had initially refused planning permission.

At the time Mr Pickles insisted the roads must be upgraded to cope with the congestion, with Pulley Lane needing to be widened and the A38 junction improved.

But despite the development being underway the road improvements have not been done, with council chiefs saying the ex-minister's ruling "clearly states" the infrastructure must be in place first.

Yesterday the district council confirmed it had served Persimmon Homes with a planning injunction, ordering the firm to cease work.

But just hours later the council changed tack, saying it had reached a "formal legal agreement" about a "mitigation scheme" which must be in place by next Friday, February 10.

A High Court judge agreed the deal yesterday, which also orders the developer to do the permanent road improvements "as soon as possible".

A council spokesman said: "A consent order has been put in place which will enable Persimmon Homes to continue work on site, subject to a commitment to undertake the necessary highway improvements as soon as possible, and put in place a mitigation scheme.

"The details have been accepted by Worcestershire County Council, and agreed by the judge in the High Court.

"It basically means Persimmon will undertake all necessary work to the highway required by their planning permission, but any further breach of the consent order will result in a return to court."

David Hammond, planning manager at the council, said he is worried the road is "currently too narrow, unsuitable and unsafe", with the potential for construction vehicles to endanger cyclists and pedestrians.

A media release issued earlier yesterday called the developer's stance "contemptuous", before council chiefs later said an agreement had been reached.

In August last year the authority sent the firm a letter advising them to "cease working on site" and deal with the issues or face legal action.

The developer, which has agreed to pay the council's legal costs, has defended its position.

Andrew Peters, managing director of Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said: "Persimmon Homes South Midlands and Wychavon District Council has settled out of court in respect of the injunction.

"An agreement was made between both parties, setting out a mitigation strategy to alleviate highway safety concerns.

"Persimmon has worked tirelessly over many months in the negotiations to come to the agreed solution."

The Yew Tree Hill development will feature 500 homes, a 200-bed care unit facility, a community centre, cafe and other facilities in a swish village-style estate.

But it has proved controversial, with a bitter campaign to block it leading to the council refusing the scheme in 2013 before it was overturned at appeal.

The project also involves developers Barberry and Redrow.