An appeal against planning approval for 16 affordable homes on a city car park has been rejected.

An appeal against planning approval for 16 affordable homes on a city car park has been rejected.

Housing association Cross Keys Homes can now develop on the car park next to the Hampton Court retail unit in Westwood despite a petition of 123 names against the plans.

Councillors reviewing the application raised concerns about traffic build-up, the loss of parking and the relocation of an existing recycling unit next to a children’s play area, but they sided with Cross Keys.

The plans had been approved last month by the council’s planning committee but the decision was called-in.

Cllr Ed Murphy, member for Ravensthorpe, told the appeals committee: “This redevelopment is really a missed opportunity, an opportunity for the economic and community regeneration of Westwood and Ravensthorpe.”

Westwood resident of 39 years, John Wood started a petition in 2015 to highlight his concern at the council selling off the car park to Cross Keys.