CONTROVERSIAL plans to build homes just outside Wyre Forest's boundary would "create an urban extension" to Stourport and are not needed, councillors will tell a planning consultation.

A re-worked application from Bovis Homes to build 62 houses on green fields between Pearl Lane, Areley Common and Malvern Edge Court will be discussed by Wyre Forest District Council's planning committee at a meeting next week.

The site at Astley Cross is just past the Wyre Forest/Malvern Hills boundary line, meaning the application has been sent to Malvern Hills District Council. Affected Wyre Forest residents and councillors can only have their say on the plans but will not make the final decision.

Bovis proposed building 106 properties on the fields last April but withdrew the bid following strong opposition. Councillors, however, say the reduced number of homes in the latest plans has not addressed significant concerns regarding the previous application.

The committee is likely to object to the plans at the 5.4ha site on the grounds the site is not allocated for residential building in either Malvern Hills or Wyre Forest's respective development plans.

Councillors will also argue there are "little or no" nearby services within easy reach of Pearl Lane in Malvern Hills district and if the plans went ahead future residents would, therefore, depend on stretched Wyre Forest services at Areley Kings and Stourport.

Original plans received strong opposition from Stourport councillors and residents when first proposed last year. Malvern Edge Court resident, Alan Smith, whose house is in Wyre Forest but part of his garden in Malvern Hills, set up a mailing list for people opposing the homes and said residents would "not let this happen without a fight".

Stourport town councillors registered their objections to the latest application at a meeting last month.