PLANS for hundreds of new homes in Worcestershire have stalled at the second stage after councillors at Wychavon District Council rejected the application for the first part of the development calling part of the design reminiscent of an Eastern European apartment block.

At a meeting of the planning committee on Thursday the reserved matters stage of the plans for 740 dwellings, employment premises and a local centre for the develoment on land between Roman Way and Copcut Lane in Salwarpe, near Droitwich, saw proposals seeking approval for the first phase of the development for 291 homes including and 110 extra care facility.

But nine councillors voted to defer the plans after comments were made about the height of the three storey extra care block, which also sits on the heighest part of the plot.

Councillor Tony Miller, a local member, spoke at the meeting.

He said: "Salwarpe Parish Council and Droitwich Town Council have been quite concerned about the way this development has emerged.

"I would describe it as an Eastern European block design of some two or three story flats in the plan.

"I do think we could've done something a little bit more sympathetic and conducive to the rural area in these blocks.

"Maybe the committee may look at the location of the extra care facility, is it the right location on the site."

Other people supported Cllr Miller but it was pointed out that the site of the care facility was chosen to provide a break between the next phase of the site and the houses.

Cllr Judy Pearce added: "I do question how many of those houses were designed for Droitwich. I actually think the extra care apartments make a good junction between the employment land and the houses. But I think we have a right to know what the tenure of the affordable housing is."

Councillors voted to defer the decision, with nine in support of that and five against.