PLANS for more that 100 houses in Kempsey failed to win the approval of district councillors this week.

But John Michael, the chairman of Kempsey Parish Council, warns residents that though a battle may have been won, the war to protect the village is by no means over.

Members of Malvern Hills District Council northern area development management committee voted to refuse a plan by David Wilson Homes to build 75 houses on land off Post Office Lane. And another plan, for 31 houses off Kings Hill, submitted by Lioncourt Homes, was deferred.

The Post Office Lane scheme provoked dozens of letters of objection and a 145-signature petition. Among the most popular objections is the access to the site off the A38 via Post Office Lane, which may residents say is already dangerous.

The Kings Hill plan draws objections that part of the site floods, that access is unsuitable, and that the site provides panoramic views across the Severn towards the Malvern Hills. It is a popular destination for sightseers to watch spectacular sunsets over the hills, or see the Severn in flood.

It was deferred for talks with the developer about allowing part of the site to remain accessible for public viewing.

Mr Michael said: "We're delighted the David Wilson plan has been refused, but I'm sure the applicant will appeal, so we've won a battle, not the war."

Mr Michael said that in the original South Worcestershire Development Plan, the village of Kempsey was allocated 144 now homes, but now it is already committed to taking 330 - a figure that does not include the two applications discussed this week.

He said: "Kempsey has around 1,000 houses at the moment, and adding the 330 already approved and the 106 at this week's meeting, that's a further 446 houses - a substantial increase in the size of the village.

"Planners tell us that all these houses are required in Malvern Hills, but our contention is that they are not required in Kempsey per se.

"We don't have the infrastructure to absorb this many houses, and with the proposed new houses at St Peter's, we're in danger of becoming just the latest suburb of Worcester."