DECISIONS on what is built in Bewdley are being taken out of the hands of town councillors fighting to protect the town, it has been claimed.

The outcry came after advice from Bewdley Town Council to district councillors - who have the final say on planning applications - went unheeded.

Town councillors claim their opinions - including opposition to knocking down a listed structure - were being "totally ignored".

Councillor Tony Williams said he was "appalled, speechless and angry" about decisions being made by district councillors.

"We are losing part of our heritage," he said.

Town councillor and district councillor for Wribbenhall Liz Davies said: "I was appalled that the recommendation of this committee was completely ignored."

Mayor Jeremy Ferguson added: "If they are going to take that much note of our opinion, why are we sitting here in the first place?"

Members had urged district councillors to refuse a bid to knock down a Grade II star listed summer house in the grounds of the Manor House in High Street, in the town centre.

But their plea to refuse the plan because a one-storey home set for the site was "out of keeping with the conservation area" fell on deaf ears.

Another application strongly opposed by the town council - the felling of trees at a property in Grey Green Lane - was again approved by district councillors.

But district councillor for Offmore Fran Oborski - who voted to knock the remains of the summer house down - said: "I think there is a danger with Bewdley Town Council being a bit parochial and with planning we have to take decisions in terms of policies."

Chairman of the district planning committee Dick Barton said: "If councillors decide what they think is the right thing to do then it is up to them.

"Every councillor makes their own decisions. Planning is non-political and the members make the decisions based on what they are told and their judgement."