WYCHAVON councillors have decided to scrap a number of housing allocations on greenfield sites around Vale of Evesham villages.

The decision to cut the 100 houses was part of the final revision to the Local Plan - the document that sets out the future development of the district.

Housing developments that are no longer part of the plan include those formerly earmarked for Badsey Fields Lane in Badsey, Ivy Lane in Bretforton, Tewkesbury Road in Eckington, Leys Road in Harvington and Weston Road in Honeybourne.

Residents now have their final chance to comment on these amendments before the plan goes to a public local inquiry in March.

The changes are in line with Government guidelines, which state that brownfield land should be preferred over greenfield alternatives.

Objections

The decision to make the changes, which were agreed at an extraordinary meeting of Wychavon council, was made after the first stage of consultation last autumn when 775 objections were lodged.

Councillors also decided to simplify the planning guidelines for dealing with packhouses, following fears that a failure to recognise and react to changes in agriculture and food production could damage the horticultural traditions of The Vale.

The final period of consultation on the changes opened yesterday and runs for six weeks.

Planning officer Fred Davies said: "The current consultation is only on the changes sanctioned by the council because there have already been two opportunities to comment on the parts of the document that have not been amended."

Comments on the changes can be made on forms available at the council's offices and on its website which is at www.wychavon.gov.uk