PLACARD-wielding angry residents made their feelings known as they lined up along a road to protest against scores of homes planned for the outskirts of the city.

The plans not only include 140 homes but will also include a new primary school built off the A38 in Kempsey.

There has been a large outcry from villagers who said there are no infrastructure improvements to help the village cope with so many new homes.

Hallam Land Management submitted the proposals after a previous plan to build 150 new homes was rejected by Malvern Hills District Council.

However, over 250 residents have let their feelings be known to Malvern Hills District Council on the planning application, arguing that Kempsey could not "sustain more houses unless the infrastructure is improved".

Now villagers have taken their protest outside on the roads in Kempsey, holding signs calling for the plans to be scrapped.

Kempsey resident Mike Shelton said protestors wanted to "make our voices be heard".

"We have been objecting this for some time now," he said.

"Last year plans to build 150 homes was rejected but there are now new proposals.

"There was a petition signed by around 400 villagers who were against the development, so we wanted to come out and make our voices heard."

Mr Shelton also claimed the proposed new school building, also submitted in the plans, had no funding in order to construct it.

Kempsey Parish Council clerk Sharon Baxter said: "Kempsey Parish Council has registered its objections and concerns regarding the housing development proposed for up to 140 houses on land at Napleton Lane, Kempsey with Malvern Hills District Council on four occasions as information about the proposal has been received.

"Not only has there been a huge increase in housing already added to the village, over 550 new dwellings in the last 10 years and 40 more recently approved, but also the fact that there has been no corresponding improvement in services and facilities to serve new and existing residents.

"Kempsey is now larger than nearby towns without the social infrastructure to support it. The lack of school places is a particular example where our primary school is already at capacity with no scope for further expansion. 

"We hope that the committee members will recognise the strength of feeling of the Kempsey community and the difficulties inherent in the current proposal when deciding on the application."

A decision by Malvern Hills District Council is set to be made on Wednesday (February 7).