RESIDENTS of Hornyold Avenue in North Malvern will be turning out in force when a contentious plan for a housing development is discussed next week.

David Wilson Homes Mercia has applied to Malvern Hills District Council for permission to build the build the gated development of eight homes on land off 14A Hornyold Avenue.

The plan comes up before the council’s southern area development control committee on Wednesday.

It has been brought to the committee at the request of local member Coun John Raine, because of the interest in the development.

Residents say that the application is not sufficiently different from a previous application for the site which was turned down.

Among their concerns are increased traffic and the impact it will have on wildlife on the site, including badgers.

Nicole Hoyle, the residents’ spokesman, said: “I think there will be a good representation from us at the meeting. The applicants have made a few changes in the last fortnight, a hedge here, a wall there, but the main things we object to have not changed.”

Jon Rowson, planning manager of David Wilson Homes Mercia, said: “We’ve worked very hard with MHDC over this application and I have to commend their positive approach.

“We’re delighted that the planning officers are recommending that our scheme be approved, and we hope the councillors endorse that recommendation."

The planning meeting is in Priory Lodge Hall, Avenue Road, at 7pm.