CONTROVERSIAL plans have been lodged for up to 475 homes in Droitwich.
The outline application on land at Hanbury Road, which has been submitted to Wychavon District Council by Ainscough Strategic Land, has faced public backlash from residents and councillors.
The 22.05ha site, near the M5, currently consists of agricultural fields bordered by hedgerows and mature trees.
Planning documents say 40 per cent of homes in the development will be affordable, and new open space, play areas and allotments would be added.
The site is allocated for a ‘residential urban extension’ in the South Worcestershire Development Plan, and there is an expectation it will become part of the development plan review.
Coun Seb James, who is against the proposal, has helped to organise a meeting at Droitwich Community Hall on Wednesday, where local residents could air their concerns.
Coun James added: “Droitwich and the surrounding villages are an incredibly special part of the world, prominent and known for their community and being a lovely place to live. This development challenges this.
“I am lobbying colleagues in Highways, Education and Severn Trent to put pen to paper and object to this.
“The central Government housing targets are a stain on our rural communities, forcing development at the cost of our green spaces and infrastructure.
“I will continue to fight this application with a robust challenge.”
One resident, Alan Bourne, contacted Coun James to air his concerns.
He said: “Residents have already raised concerns for years about driver behaviour along the B4090 Hanbury Road.
“This proposal to develop will be dangerous and bring so much congestion to the B4090, as well as the congestion at Hanbury Street in the town.
“Residents in Droitwich have already seen a town explode without added infrastructure.”
A transport assessment and travel plan, commissioned by Ainscough Strategic Land, concludes that the proposed development is considered acceptable in both transport and planning terms.
In addition, traffic impact assessments in the report claim that the development would not have a material impact on the highways network or give rise to any highways-related issues.
The transport assessment reports that the local highway network does not have a poor safety record, and there is no evidence to suggest the development would adversely affect road safety or accident levels.
In planning documents, the applicants said: “At this outline stage, the applicants anticipate that they will enter into a Section 106 agreement with the District and County Councils, unless the matter can be dealt with by conditions.
“The proposals likely result in some impacts on local infrastructure.
“The anticipated adverse impacts of the development, when considered alongside the proposed mitigation and enhancement measures, are not judged to be significant or demonstrable so as to outweigh the substantial public benefits of the scheme.”
