PLANS to build 10 homes at Bransford, near Malvern, were thrown out by district councillors this week after worries were raised that the site is contaminated by dangerous chemicals.

Festival Housing applied to build the site on an old bowling green next to the Bank House and Malvern Hills planning officers were recommending approval.

Fears were raised that soil dumped on the land contained the chemical benzoalpha- pyrene, known to be cancer causing.

But a report from Worcester Regulatory Services said that although the chemical is present, it in not in the areas of the proposed homes or their gardens, and that “contamination issues are not significant on the site”.

However, at Wednesday’s planning meeting, members voted to refuse permission.