Victory in battle over scheme for new rectory

Residents have won their battle against plans to build a new rectory and two other houses on land which was donated to the church at Blakedown.

They raised a storm of protest after the Diocese of Worcester submitted proposals for the new homes in Mill Lane.

Wyre Forest District Council's planning development control committee last night turned down the application because of fears over increased traffic and problems refuse vehicles might face reaching the properties through a narrow access.

Residents had claimed the proposals would destroy the character of the area, lead to road safety dangers and infringe on some people's privacy.

They said land around the present rectory should be used for organisations such as the Cubs, Beavers, fetes or allotments.

Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council said the large houses proposed for the site were not appropriate when there was need for smaller and low-cost accommodation.

Parish councillor Jim Long said: "It is a source of great disappointment that the diocese had not consulted the community."

Councillor Howard Martin said that for some residents, it would be like "looking down on a kipper-smoking shed".