A CONTROVERSIAL housing plan which has been revised twice will be heard at the next planning meeting.

The application for 200 new homes at land near to Abbey Road and Boat Lane, Evesham has been changed and deferred several times, since it was first proposed in 2015.

The current plan has provoked a series of comments in support and in objection on Wychavon District Council's planning website with the majority of the commenters against the plan by Hallam Land Management.

The application will be heard at the meeting on Thursday June 28 by Wychavon District Council, despite the fact that another plan by the same applicant for 220 homes and a care home is still on the table.

The new idea is for up to 200 new homes, open space and a children's play area with the care home plan dropped from the new application after residents claimed it was unnecessary.

There would also be a new community orchard, parking and the expansion of the leisure centre car park.

The applicants have also pledged to build new infrastructure, including cycle and pedestrian footpaths.

The plan has seen criticisms that it would lead to even more gridlock in the town centre and that the sewage system is no longer fit for purpose.

Around 40 percent of the homes will be affordable housing.

James Powell, chairman of the Evesham Civic Society, who intends to speak at the meeting said: "The development by Hallam Land Management of Abbey Road, Evesham for 200 homes is flawed due to inadequate infrastructure.

"Evesham is a historic market town surrounded by the river on three sides with one road running north to south causing catastrophic traffic problems.

"The sewers and water systems were constructed well over 100 years ago, the town has expanded from a population of 8,000 to approaching 30,000. "Twenty five years ago planning applications were refused due to pollution on the Riverside Meadows and the inadequacy of the existing infrastructure.

"The problems associated with schools, doctors’ surgeries and hospitals should not be disregarded and the responsibilities of the Planning Authority are legally laid out in the Planning Policy Framework Document and other Government statements.

"The future of Evesham relies on its history, heritage and tourism. Wychavon District Council and the County Council have allowed out of town development ignoring the need for adequate car parking and a practical road system.

"This application must be refused due to many infrastructure problems which are obvious to all residents."

The original plan for 380 homes at the site in 2015 has been withdrawn.