FIVE apartments at the back of a pub car park will be built after plans were approved.

The plan for the apartments in a 2.5 storey building at the back of the Bull Inn pub in Fernhill Heath was backed by Wychavon District Council's planning committee at a meeting last Thursday (February 7).

Councillor Tony Miller, who represents Lovett and North Claines, said he was concerned by how close the apartments would be to the railway line especially as a lot of the trees that shielded the building from the track would be cut down soon.

Cllr Miller said he did think the apartments were being “shoehorned” into a small place but the council had already allowed the shoehorning to take place by allowing the previous planning permission. He was also concerned that Fernhill Heath could become a village without a pub if similar developments are approved in the future.

He added: “I don’t think this improves the design of the area in any way at all. I don’t think we were wise to give planning permission for this site previously.

“I just cannot see how this improves the village of Fernhill Heath. I think it’s a sad day for the village of Fernhill Heath and it’s a loss to the community I believe.”

Cllr Adrian Darby said he saw the plan as “perfectly acceptable” as the site had already got existing permission for a development which was slightly higher and occupied roughly the same space.

North Claines Parish Council objected to the plan.

Councillor John Carter from the parish council’s planning committee said approving the plan would cause “tremendous chaos” on the A38 when traffic lights were installed at the junction of the road and Hurst Lane.

The highways team at Worcestershire County Council said the new apartments would not cause any disruption on the roads.