ANGRY parish councillors in Drakes Broughton, near Pershore, have threatened to stop commenting on routine planning applications as they felt their objections to a new housing development were largely ignored by Wychavon.

Councillors were reacting to a decision by Wychavon’s planning committee to wave through Festival Housing Group’s eleven home development on the Thornleigh Nurseries site, in Stonebow Road.

The parish council had previously objected to the plans, citing serious flooding issues, inadequate sewage systems and their housing needs survey, which they claimed demonstrated no need for new homes within the village.

A parish council newsletter dated December 1 stated: “Members of the parish council were dismayed by the lack of support from members of the Wychavon Planning Committee. It became increasingly obvious that the concerns of the parish council would not be taken into account.”

Speaking this week Drakes Broughton parish clerk Michelle Elliott said: “It was decided by a majority of members not to offer comments on planning applications, unless specifically requested to do so by a parishioner.

“This decision was taken because we truly believe that comments submitted to the district council, however relevant, are completely overlooked.

“Therefore spending time reading and processing planning applications, and offering comments, are a waste of time if they are not event considered.”

Gill Collin, head of planning and housing at Wychavon, said she hoped councillors would reconsider as they “played an active part” in the planning process.

"We're sorry that Drakes Broughton Parish Council feel its views are not listened to as this was clearly not the case,” she said. “We take all consultees views into account when making a decision on planning applications.

“There is clear evidence of a local need for more affordable housing in this area and this acute need is coupled with a real affordability problem for local people accessing housing.

“Councillors and officers need to balance the views of all consultees and local needs when making a decision.”