THE vicar of St Stephen's Church has expressed extreme disappointment that a planned Holocaust Memorial to the millions who died through genocide has been refused planning permission.

The Rev Andrew Smith said he felt the decision to refuse the siting of a memorial near the fountain in Church Green was more 'down to taste' than for planning reasons.

The memorial, designed by Redditch school pupil Chase Lloyd, was meant to be in place for January's Holocaust Memorial Day.

Mr Smith, who also sits on the memorial steering committee, said: "The problem is we are entirely at the mercy of the planners. All the alternative sites are in busy thoroughfares, which are just not suitable for a memorial like this.

"This is all down to taste and I am very disappointed."

Mr Smith addressed councillors at last week's planning committee before they made their decision, stressing that the memorial needed to be in an area which was prominent but peaceful.

Planning committee vice-chairman Pat Wilson said: "It is not just the planning officers' recommendation to refuse the application. Almost every other officer or manager with something to do with this has raised concerns."

Mrs Wilson added: "It is one of the most difficult decisions we have had to make and it must be realised it is purely on planning grounds."

Council planning officer Kevin Jones said he supported the memorial project but there were too many "conservation concerns" in the Church Green area, including lighting, damage to tree roots and the vicinity of the Grade II listed fountain.