A decision is set to be made on controversial plans for a pre-school nursery that could accommodate nearly 100 children.
The Forge, a 1960s dormer bungalow in Crown East, just off the A44, could be converted and extended to form the proposal nursery.
Work would include the construction of a classroom block and the creation of new access, play areas, parking and landscaping.
If approved, the nursery would provide 94 childcare places in a growing part of Worcestershire.
But parish councillors and more than a dozen residents objected to the scheme.
Rushwick Parish Council said: “Access to the site from Worcester during rush hour will cause delays and disruption to the traffic and unless an additional lane is installed for the right-hand turn into the site will cause a significant safety hazard.”
Resident Martin Harris said: “The proposed development is wholly inappropriate to the location.
“I doubt that more than a minimal requirement for a nursery exists among the residents of Crown East.
“The new housing developments adjacent to the Bromyard roundabout would be a much better site for a pre-school nursery in terms of the requirement for a nursery and also the safety of any children so enrolled.
“The noise impact of increased traffic levels and 94 pre-school children should not be underestimated. Crown East is a quiet rural neighbourhood and should remain so.”
Worcestershire Highways raised no objections to the plans.
The highways authority noted that the applicant had revised the site plan to offer 14 drop-off spaces and said that parking demand was unlikely to exceed capacity, given the short-duration nature of nursery drop-offs and staggered arrival times.
It said the proposed 21 staff parking spaces would likely be more than enough.
A traffic assessment estimated that the nursery could generate 273 two-way vehicle movements during peak hours – an increase of 267 daily trips on Crown East Lane and its junction with the A44.
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While the volume of traffic was considered ‘high’, the impact was not deemed ‘severe’ and therefore not grounds for refusal.
In its submission, the county council’s education team highlighted demand in the area, citing nine approved housing developments within two miles of the site, expected to deliver 1,653 new homes and an estimated 364 early-years children.
The application will be considered by Malvern Hills District Council’s Northern Area Planning Committee when it meets on Wednesday, June 3.
Planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval.