RESIDENTS living in Wychavon have a final chance to have their say on the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR) before it is officially adopted.
A six-week public consultation runs from today (January 6) until 5pm on February 17, 2026, allowing residents and other stakeholders to review proposed changes to the document put forward by planning inspectors.
Following a series of public hearings in 2025, changes to the plan – known as main modifications – were made to ensure it meets legal requirements and national planning policy.
The consultation only allows people to review and comment on the modifications, raise any new issues specifically caused by the changes, or question the evidence base for a proposed alteration.
Some of the modifications strengthen policies for the major strategic sites.
They include setting out the need for key infrastructure to be delivered at Wychavon Town (called Worcestershire Parkway in the document) and for the proposed transport hub at Rushwick be delivered to support wider development before the new railway station is built.
One of the most significant changes is the removal of Throckmorton as a proposed allocated site for housing and employment.
This is now identified as an ‘area of search’, meaning more work is needed to demonstrate development is appropriate on the site. This land will be considered for allocation through the next plan review.
All comments from the consultation will be sent directly to the inspectors, to be reviewed before their final report is issued, unless a significant issue has been raised requiring further consideration.
Once the final report has been received by inspectors, the SWDPR will go before Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon councils for formal adoption, which is
expected to take place in March.
Once adopted, the plan will strengthen planners’ ability to resist inappropriate development from speculative housing developers.
Malvern Hills district councillor David Harrison, chair of the SWDPR joint advisory panel, said: “This is the final step before adoption and at a time when many councils across the country are unable to progress to this stage, this represents a very significant moment for the SWDPR.
“I’d like to congratulate all the staff involved on their hard work to get to this point.
“I urge as many people as possible to review the changes and if there is anything you feel we, or the inspectors, have not fully considered to take the opportunity to have your say.”
Visit: www.swdevelopmentplan.org to take part in the consultation. The link can be found under the consultations menu or the latest news section on the website.
