Controversial plans to build 10 homes on green space next to the Lye Valley nature reserve were approved by councillors last night.

The city council approved Turley Associates' development proposals for grassland east of Warren Crescent last month.

But the applications was called-in to the planning review committee by 13 city councillors concerned the nearby nature reserve would be at risk.

Last night councillors approved the application by a majority of seven votes to two.

But there may be conditions attached to the updated application, that the run -off of water from the development should be monitored, and rainwater could be "harvested" to be used in homes.

More than 800 people backed the Friends of Lye Valley's petition calling on the council to designate the land as local green space, which would protect it against development.