A CONTROVERSIAL planning application opposed by residents in Powick has been deferred.

Selbourne Homes applied to build up to 61 new houses on land to the east of Hospital Lane.

Residents are concerned about development of the former landfill site, because three types of asbestos were discovered there by the Environment Agency in 1998.

It was subsequently made safe for agricultural use.

A decision was expected on Wednesday night (Oct 1), however councillors on Malvern Hills District Council's planning committee opted to have another independent survey of the land done before making a final decision.

Peter Huntington, who set up the Hospital Lane Action Group, said campaigners welcomed the news.

He said: "Any independent survey should show the extent of the contamination in that area."

A report to the planning committee by the Environment Agency read: “We have no further concerns with this inert landfill site, particularly as the current Ground Investigation assessment represents the current conditions of the ground with no major sources of contamination found.”

The agency warned its investigation was not able to cover every square inch of the site, so contamination could still be present.