Eco-homes at a Worcester beauty spot don’t match the plans that were approved, say city planners.

The bungalows were built at Northwick Marina after planning permission was granted in 2017.

Carabella Properties last year put in a type of planning application called a non-material amendment.

These are often used when a developer wants to make minor adjustments to an approved scheme.

But planning officers found that the changes at this development were more significant.

Worcester News: The homes are designed to be unobtrusiveThe homes are designed to be unobtrusive

The latest application was for a change to the approved location of the two homes.

Refusing permission, officers said: “From a review of the submitted and previously approved plans, it is evident the submitted proposals include a number of other changes to the scheme.

“It is also evident from a site visit that the proposals are retrospective and that development has already been completed and may be occupied.

“It considered that the nature and level of changes proposed result in a significant material change to the previously approved scheme, it appears that the dwellings are sited closer to the floating house to the northwest of the dwellings, effectively shifting both properties further along the site.

“It is also apparent that the submitted plans do not accurately reflect the dwellings and overall site layout as built.”

Worcester News: The site from above and the original plansThe site from above and the original plans (Image: Worcester City Council)

The report says the finished development is not in accordance with the approved plans - and that the variations are “significant material changes”.

The original plans for the three-bedroom bungalows described how they would “disappear from the view of neighbouring properties and people walking along the footpaths on either side of the river”.

“The new planned properties will make a feature of Northwick Marina and enable the site to not only be an exemplar for innovative building but also to improve and manage it for the benefit of the riverside environment and wildlife.”

Concerns were raised for the future of the bungalows in 2021 when part of a riverside footpath known as The Slip suffered a landslip.

The path has since been closed to the public on safety grounds.