New housing on site of old health centre (From Evesham Journal)

New housing on site of old health centre

7:40pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News

A DERELICT site in the centre of Pershore is set to be transformed into 13 new homes.

The former medical centre in Priest Lane will be demolished and the site used to build new properties for the Rooftop Housing Group.

The scheme has been unanimously approved by members of Wychavon District Council’s planning committee.

The plans include eight residents’ car parking spaces and 15 spaces allocated to the primary care trust.

The scheme was opposed by members of the town council who said they wanted some of the PCT spaces to be moved to car parks at Wychavon District Council’s Civic Centre. Town councillor Richard Grantham said: “Pershore Town Council agrees with the development in principle, but has concerns over the parking.”

Pershore mayor Charles Tucker said: “We feel that there is a little bit more work to do to get the car parking provision sorted out.”

Town councillors had previously complained that there were fewer parking spaces than homes on offer which would mean that not everyone who moved into a property would be able to park on site which could have a knock-on effect in other parts of the town, such as Priest Lane.

Concerns were also raised about the likelihood of vandalism in the alleyway through the site in which all the properties will be affordable housing.

Coun David Brotheridge said no one could doubt the need for sustainable homes and that the plans were the best that could be achieved.

Coun Judy Pearce said it was important to approve the development as part of the funding was coming from the Homes Community Agency.

“If we don’t give it to them today they will lose the money because they won’t be on site in time,” she said.

“If we lose the money we will lose the ability to get the site developed.”