A CONTROVERSIAL bid to build new homes on an infill site has been kicked out by council planners unimpressed with the look and layout of the development.

The proposal put forward by David Wilson Homes for land off Hornyold Avenue attracted a crowd of opponents to a meeting of Malvern Hills District Council’s southern area planning committee on Wednesday.

Officers were recommending the plan to build eight homes on ground off 14A Hornyold Avenue for approval, subject to legal agreements and £67,000 for schools, play areas, and road contributions.

A previous planning bid to build the homes was turned down by planning officers.

Jon Rowson, the developer’s planning manager, said this scheme was “a far superior version”

to that originally submitted and said the layout and design of the homes reflected the “high quality area” of the development.

Councillor John Raine said, however, “there is an awful lot still wrong with this”.

He questioned the layout of the site, saying it was as though the developers had selected “two-thirds” of a full site – and pointed to the off-set alignment between the proposed homes and an existing neighbouring bungalow. He also raised concerns about the “poor badgers” who live around the site.

There were also concerns the site would harm the amenity of neighbours.

Councillors voted 14 to two with one abstention to refuse the application.

Nicole Hoyle, speaking for residents opposed to the plan, said she was “very happy” with the councillors’ decision.