Plans for a huge housing development near a popular beauty spot have hit a stumbling block, to the delight of campaigners.
West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin is among those celebrating a victory for ‘common sense’ after planners revised proposals for a development near Tiddesley Wood in Pershore.
The original plan aimed to build up to 450 homes encroaching on the woodlands off Defford Road and was opposed by Mrs Baldwin as well as local campaigners and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.
However, the latest version of the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) shows a significant reduction in the number of houses to be constructed and a large buffer zone between the proposed site and the ancient woodlands.
Harriett said: “I am pleased to see that the local planners have taken this common-sense decision to reduce the scale of the development and reduce the impact on this wonderful rural beauty spot.
“Although it is district councils, and not Members of Parliament, who have the final say on planning matters, I have taken a close interest in the latest version of the local plan and how it impacts local people and the provision of local services.”
She added: “The latest version of this plan has taken a considerable time to get to this stage with significant pauses in the process during the pandemic.
“However, the new plan is now public, and councillors will get the chance to review and vote on the proposals before the public get to have their say too.”
The previous draft of the SWDP, published in 2019, proposed plans to build 450 homes.
A campaign group was subsequently set up, with around 120 members of Protecting Pershore’s Woodlands staging a silent protest outside the Civic Centre in October of 2019.
READ MORE: Pershore residents fighting plan for 450 homes next to Tiddesley Woods
Following years of delays, the revised SWDP was unveiled this week, setting out how more than 11,000 new homes will be built by 2041, with the number near Tiddesley Wood reduced to 112.
There are also plans for a new 5,000-home town at Worcestershire Parkway station and a new 2,000-home town at Throckmorton Airfield near Pershore.
READ MORE: Much-delayed plan for 11,000 new homes across Worcestershire finally made public
Local councils will be discussing and voting on the plans next month.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel