A CONTROVERSIAL planning application for a gipsy site in a hamlet between Malvern and Powick looks set to be refused.

The application, for land at Bastonford, is for a site with parking for five touring caravans.

It is on the agenda when Malvern Hills District Council's northern area development control committee meets on Wednesday, October 5.

And planning officers are recommending that the elected members throw the scheme out. Among the reasons put forward are highway safety and visual impact on the countryside.

The planning officers also say the development will be out of scale in a hamlet the size of Bastonford.

The application, made by Edward Smith, is retrospective, as caravans are already parked on the site, which is between the dual carriageway and the old road. It was made after MHDC issued an enforcement notice ordering the travellers to vacate the site.

The travellers have appealed against the enforcement notice, and a hearing is due to be held later this year.

Wednesday's meeting is at 6pm at Priory Lodge Hall, Avenue Road.

Peter Stephens, of the Bastonford Residents association, said he and other residents planned to be there.

He said: "I'm glad the plan is being recommended for refusal, but I'm afraid the applicants will simply appeal again if it's refused."