WORRIED Stoke Prior residents have been offered a glimmer of hope after a controversial planning proposal which looked set to go ahead was deferred.

Brickhouse Lane Residents Association (BRA) had strongly opposed a plan by the Midlands Foster Care Associates (MFCA) to convert a house into offices.

On Monday, members of Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee, which had been advised to approve the application by officers, deferred a final decision for a second time following a site visit.

Around 30 villagers, many of whom had written to the committee saying the plans were inaccurate and would cause extra traffic, turned out armed with banners and placards, when council chiefs arrived last Thursday.

BRA member John Day made a written complaint to the Royal Town Planning Institute.

The MFCA owns Fieldview House, in Brickhouse Lane, which is used as a school for foster children but wants to buy Heath House, next door, for conversion into offices.

Villagers fear both properties will be turned into offices and eventually sold for commercial use, which they are concerned is inappropriate for the rural area.

On Monday, officers recommend a decision be deferred to give them time to examine newly submitted plans which arrived that morning.

Mr Day said the residents were more positive the planning committee would reject the proposal when it saw an accurate picture.

He said: "We are in the same position as we were last week, however, we now have a hint of optimism."

The proposal is due to be discussed at the next planning committee meeting scheduled for Monday November 26.

Director of the FCA Jackie Edwards said: "We welcome the opportunity to put our point of view to the planning committee."