IT may be Christmas before Alcester residents know if a controversial plan for 400 homes is to be given the go-ahead, writes Helen Clarke.

The deadline for comments ran out at the end of September and a decision was expected any day now.

After plans were rejected by town and district councils, development company Bloor Homes asked for a public inquiry.

An interim decision was made several months ago when the Government office for the West Midlands (COI) said it was minded to uphold the decision to refuse plans.

But since then, new Government guidelines have been brought out.