NEIGHBOURS have spoken out against a plan to build more homes in a village saying it could not cope.

A total of 14 homes would be built on land to the north of Cornfield Close in Welland if the plans are approved but neighbours have said the village’s school and shop could not cope with more people.

The homes would sit next to 24 recently built homes – a plan that was initially refused by Malvern Hills District Council but allowed after an appeal was made to the government’s planning inspector in 2015.

Several neighbours in Cornfield Close have spoken out against the plan and submitted objections to the council.

Jane Elizabeth Smith, of Cornfield Close, said: “We do not feel as though a small village like Welland needs any more houses especially now Bovis are starting their third phase at their development on Drake Street and when you consider that Welland only has one school and one shop.

“Now the Pheasant pub [in Welland] has been rejected which would have been a great asset to the local community it would seem unfair if these 14 houses were then accepted.

“The current road is not wide enough now, let alone any more traffic and the turning area at the moment is used as a car park due to residents not having enough room.”

Gemma McGee, also of Cornfield Close, said: “Welland has expanded so rapidly that there are not enough amenities to support the growing population.

“The houses currently bordering the new site will likely have their privacy compromised by the placement of new houses, which they were likely unaware of at time of buying.”

The homes would sit outside the development boundary in the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) and within the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The rejected plan for 24 homes eventually overturned on appeal was also outside the development boundary which has been used as justification by the applicant DB Land and Planning Consultancy for the latest plan which includes a mix of two-to-four bed homes and two bungalows.

The plan was submitted in November but has now been resubmitted with public consultation running for a further month due to boundary changes.

The plans can be viewed via the planning section of Malvern Hills District Council’s website.

Consultation ends on May 14.

The application number is 19/01770/FUL.