A DECISION to allow planning permission for a bungalow in Rushwick to be replaced by a much bigger property has been overturned by Malvern Hills District councillors.

Permission was approved for the development at Green Hedges, Claphill Lane, which would increase the floorspace by 56 per cent, by the council's northern area development control committee against officers' recommendations in March.

The proposal was supported by neighbours but the council's policy only allows for a 15 per cent increase in the size of properties outside the settlement boundary and in open countryside.

The matter was referred to the council's planning committee by Gary Williams, head of planning and housing at the council, who recommended refusal because it would set a precedent that would make it difficult to refuse similar schemes.

"To grant planning permission for the proposed scheme would be inconsistent with appeals decisions and would seriously undermine the future application and implementation of the policy," he said.

Members of the planning committee agreed and overturned the previous approval.