NATURAL woodland at the entrance to the Malvern Link conservation area will remain untouched, after a plan to build 67 apartments there was dismissed on appeal.

The development of the site between Worcester Road and the Safeway supermarket, on Roman Way, would have involved the loss of trees.

An appeal inspector considered amended plans submitted by Ciel Properties after the original planning application was refused by Malvern Hills District Council.

The revised plans moved the buildings away from an area prone to flooding and addressed some of the council's concerns about the impact on neighbours at 288 Worcester Road.

The inspector also considered an agreement to incorporate 19 affordable housing units and eight low cost units, in accordance with the council's policy relating to developments of more than 40 new homes.

However, the inspector did not see a need to release the greenfield site for housing and said removing 60 per cent of the woodland would substantially erode the site and harm the character and appearance of the conservation area.

The council welcomed the appeal decision, because it established a preference for developing brownfield before greenfield sites, even when the greenfields are in urban areas.