A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build 160 new homes, which faced huge opposition from residents, has been withdrawn.

Lovell Partnerships and Walsall Housing Group wanted to build 160 new homes on land off Station Road in Fernhill Heath and submitted plans to Wychavon District Council.

The plan, which received more than 100 objections, has now been withdrawn.

Councillor Tony Miller, who represents Lovett and North Claines on Wychavon District Council, said as the plan is out of any development boundary and away from meaningful transport routes the developer was probably convinced the plan would not get approved.

He said the village had been "absolutely blasted" with new homes without the proper infrastructure in place and very few facilities.

He said: "I can't see how we could sustain any more developments in Fernhill Heath."

READ MORE: Plans for 160 homes in Fernhill Heath near Worcester gather more than 100 objections

READ MORE: Plan for five apartments on Fernhill Heath pub car park approved

READ MORE: 'Crammed in' worries of 40 new homes in Fernhill Heath

The planning application was first submitted in June 2018 and quickly gathered objectors.

The homes were called 'unnecessary' by residents amid concerns over a massive increase in traffic and damage to greenbelt land.

Opposition to the plan included concerns over the loss of ‘valued’ countryside, the destruction of wildlife and habitats and the detrimental effect more homes would have on services including doctors, pharmacies, dentists, schools and local transport links.

David Hammond, planning services manager at the district council, confirmed the planning application had been withdrawn by the developer.

The plan by Lovell Partnerships and Walsall Housing Group was the biggest of several housing plans submitted in Fernhill Heath in the last few years.

Permanent traffic lights were installed and work was carried out earlier this summer at the Droitwich Road and Hurst Lane junction in the village as part of a plan to build 120 homes on land off Dilmore Lane which was approved in 2016.

A plan to build 40 homes on land between Sling Lane and the Old Drive off Droitwich Road on the eastern edge of Fernhill Heath, was backed in principle by Wychavon District Council planners in January.

Another plan to build apartments behind the Bull Inn pub in Droitwich Road was approved in February.

Neighbours said the developer had tried to cram too many homes into a small space, it would be out-of-character with the rest of the area and the increase in traffic would be dangerous to pedestrians.

Some of the objections also said there was no need for more housing in Fernhill Heath, the plan did not include enough green space and there were not enough spaces at local schools to cope with the extra homes.