CONTROVERSIAL plans to build more than 90 new homes on the outskirts of Worcester have been sent back to the drawing board after planners voted to defer what one councillor called a "wretched design".

That criticism came from Cllr Andy Roberts, who was especially critical of the design of some of the three-storey flats to be build at the former Ketch Car Boot site.

Speaking of the plans, he said: "We have people in Worcester who lived in places looking like that in the 1950s, it was after the war and they were great.

"This isn't the 1950s. Over the years we have had some pretty wretched designs come before us and this design is wretched."

Council officers had recommended approval of the plans, but concerns from residents and councillors about the design and lay-out of the site meant they could not do so.

Councillors were reviewing plans by Rooftop Housing Association to build 92 homes on land off Broomhall Way.

At the planning meeting on July 29, they were told of the many objections from neighbours to the site, with worries over road access and school and medical provision being highlighted.

The site had previously been given outline planning permission for 81 new homes, being earmarked in the South Worcestershire Development Plan.

The committee heard from St Peters Parish councillor David Saunders, who said the council did not think it a suitable plan for the site.

He said: "The initial issue from the council is the suitability for this site, mainly for reasons of access and safety.

"We were concerned about a lack of regular and reliable public transport into and out of Worcester City Centre, and we are also concerned about noise and pollution from the nearby dual carriageway."

Cllr Saunders' concerns were echoed by ward councillor Steve McKay, who said the visuals of the site, with multi-storey buildings lining the road, would present a negative image to visitors coming into and going out of the city.

Councillors were asked to vote on a deferral of the plans to allow the agents to re-draw the designs, presenting them to council at a later date.

The full meeting can be watched on www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvpbBUnaseA