A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build 50 homes on a former city golf course has received the backing of council officers despite being previously rejected.

The affordable housing could be built on the former Tolladine golf course in Worcester by housing association Bromford with three homes in nearby Darwin Avenue demolished to make way.

After rejection by Worcester City Council’s planning committee in June Bromford resubmitted the exact same plan but with “significantly enhanced” landscaping.

That plan is to go before the next meeting of the committee next week, and officers have now revealed they are "minded to approve" the application.

In the report the officer writes: "The comments of objection have not raised any material new issues while the enhanced landscaping proposed in this application is considered to sufficiently address the concerns that were expressed at the time.

"It is recommended that planning permission is granted, subject to the conditions."

Should the committee go against the recommendation of its own planning officers and reject the proposals it will be the second time it has happened on the application - and it could then be appealed.

Last year, a campaign was set up to stop the homes being built with residents saying if the plan went ahead, it would mean swapping priceless natural fields for pollution and congestion. A petition against the plans attracted more than 800 signatures.

Residents have again submitted objections to the new application.

One objector Sharath Rao, who lives in Darwin Avenue, said: "This is mocking local residents. Once again the application is made without any consideration to council members and their suggestions."

Warndon Parish Council (WPC) in its latest objection said: "The application claims that its new application includes 'significantly enhanced landscaping' however the difference between the earlier version and the current version seems to be negligible.

"WPC trusts members will reject this application in the same way they rejected the previous version of this surprisingly identical application."

The application will be heard at the committee's meeting, being held at the Guildhall from 1.30pm on Thursday, November 25.