PLANS to build 28 new homes would have an affect on schoolchildren's safety, residents fear.

Plans to build the homes near a Malvern school have been recommended for refusal after being branded 'unacceptable'.

Platform Housing wants to build the houses in Geraldine Road, not far from The Chase School.

The plans have been criticised by residents who object to the impact the homes would have on the safety of pupils from the school, as well as elderly people living nearby.

Resident James Yolland spoke on behalf of 70 residents from the nearby streets at the meeting.

Among the concerns raised by Mr Yolland were the removal of historic oak trees from the site and housing being too dense on the site.

He also said elderly and vulnerable residents from the nearby streets would be put in danger with the increased traffic caused by the development.

This, he argued, would also cause problems for children at the Chase School, located a short distance to the south of the site.

He said: "This is the second time you have heard us, the last was in September when the council said it couldn't support the application.

"To be clear, we as residents do not oppose development on this site, but we do oppose this plan."

The social housing company's plans are a re-submission, with their original plan for 37 new homes being rejected in late-2021.

The plans would see the homes built on the site of the former Touchstone Day Centre.

The day centre closed in 2016 and has remained empty after services were transferred to the Malvern Cube.

Affordable housing providers Keon Homes and Platform Housing are behind the scheme, and a new application is now active.

Councillors agreed the plans should be refused, with Cllr Neil Morton saying: "Last time we rejected it because of over-development.

"This is developers doing what developers do, and we need to send a clear message that this plan is not acceptible."

The Town Council agreed to recommend refusal of the plans, with deputy mayor Cllr Clive Hooper agreeing to speak at the district council planning meeting where the plans will be discussed.

To view the plans in full, go to https://plan.malvernhills.gov.uk/Planning/Display/21/01513/FUL