WORCESTER MP Mike Foster has written to the Deputy Prime Minister urging an inquiry into plans to put an industrial estate at Grove Farm.

The city council has approved an application for business units on 12.5 acres towards the southern end of the site.

Mr Foster, who called himself a "consistent opponent" of development, said he wanted John Prescott to act.

"I am urging him to call in this particular application because it goes against the Local Plan and means building on a greenfield site when alternatives exist," said the MP.

Mr Foster called the Grove Farm Consortium's application a "blight on residents".

The application approved by the technical services committee this month was the latest in a series of proposals that date from 1982.

Last year, the Conservatives insisted they would not tolerate any development at Grove Farm, but changed tack after being warned about the council's limited chances at appeal.

Two Conservatives, Mary Drinkwater and Neil Monkhouse, voted with Independents Mike Layland and Stan Knowles and Labour's Ray Turner against the plans.

Coun Richard Udall, who did not vote as he is not a technical services committee member, has echoed Mr Foster's request.

"The proposals would destroy an area designated as Green Network," he wrote to Mr Prescott.

Although they do not have the same status as Green Belt, Green Network sites are not supposed to be developed.

Coun Udall reminded Mr Prescott that an inquiry last year ruled against development.

However, the earlier proposals covered a larger area. Planning officers had advised accepting the revised version, warning the city must find land for employers keen to expand.