A PLAN to build seven homes on the site of an old care home looks set to be rejected because the council said the village does not need any new homes.

The scheme, which would see the homes built on the site of Orchard House, a former 32-bed care home in Kinnersley near Severn Stoke, and part of the building converted into a pair of two-bed semi detached homes, has been deemed surplus to requirements by Malvern Hills District Council.

Planners have recommended the application is refused when it goes before the council's planning committee next Wednesday (July 10).

Support for the homes had been positive with Severn Stoke & Croome d'Abitot Parish Council backing the plan and the majority of visitors to a public event held at Orchard House saying they favoured the new development and the number of homes was appropriate.

Nevertheless, council planners have said the mix of two, three and four-bed homes on brownfield land would be outside of development boundaries and would be unsustainable.

The 'cramped' cul-de-sac layout of the homes would be inappropriate for the area, according to a planning report due to be discussed by the planning committee.

The council has also said the lack of shops, schools and employment opportunities nearby means owners of homes would have to travel a considerable distance by car which also clashes with development policy.

The village is also regarded as open countryside in the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) which prevents development in most cases.