AN MP has attacked "serious delays" in getting the county's housing blueprint approved - after the inspector said he was too busy working on Birmingham's plan to help.

Harriett Baldwin is calling for an investigation after it emerged South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) will drag on until next summer.

The original SWDP, which earmarks land for development by 2030, set on a tally of 23,200 properties before inspector Roger Clews ordered it to rise.

Back in October last year, 13 months ago, he said it must increase by up to 9,000 homes across Worcester, Malvern and Wychavon before it can be considered acceptable.

The three district councils have now agreed on a new tally of 28,370 but the blueprint remains in limbo until Mr Clews has agreed to it - and his three hearings are not pencilled in until February, April and May next year.

Mrs Baldwin has written to his office in an attempt to bring it forward and has been told he cannot respond because he is too busy working on Brum's plan.

The SWDP was first approved by the three south Worcestershire councils in December 2012 but a series of bureaucratic delays have now led to more than two years of problems.

Ironically, last year planning chiefs in Birmingham and the Black Country tried to get the figure of 30,000 jobs downgraded in the SWDP, leading to fury the Second City was "running scared" of Worcestershire's ambition.

The document earmarks land for businesses as well as property.

Mrs Baldwin has written to Mr Clews' boss Simon Ridley asking for an explanation and urging him to ensure his inspectors acknowledge the SWDP is nearly complete when assessing planning appeals.

Over the last two years some parts of the county have been under siege from development.

Mrs Baldwin said: "These extensive bureaucratic delays are unacceptable to my constituents and our councillors.

"The situation is compounded by the fact the inspector is busy with the Birmingham plan rather than completing the task in Worcestershire.

"I have written to Simon Ridley expressing my concerns.

"Most important, though, is that he instructs his planning Inspectors to take into account the fact our local plan is very nearly complete and this should be reflected in outstanding planning appeals.

"The district councils have done a difficult job and have now done everything they can to bring this plan to fruition.

"It is now down to Mr Clews to complete his work which I hope will happen sooner rather than later."

The National Planning Inspectorate, based in Bristol, has been contacted by your Worcester News and issued a statement a few minutes ago.

It said: "We have received a letter from Harriett Baldwin about South Worcestershire’s local plan.

"The inspectorate recognises the importance of the local plan in determining planning applications and appeals in line with national policy.

"The inspector will be resuming the examination of South Worcestershire’s local plan in December in accordance with the programme and timetable agreed with the councils by the inspector."