A LEGAL row could scupper controversial plans to build 120 new homes in Droitwich.
Outline planning permission was granted for the proposal for the site off Dilmore Lane by Taylor Wimpey UK by Wychavon District Council’s planning committee last Thursday (May 22), under the condition the dispute was resolved.
It comes after two property owners next to the site opposed the plans claiming the site infringed on their land.
Planning officers said they were confident the ownership issues could be resolved but the committee was split evenly down the middle with chairman Coun Linda Robinson eventually casting the final vote in favour of the application.
The new development consists of up to six one-bedroom houses or maisonettes, two bungalows with one bedroom, 17 two-bed houses and nine houses with three bedrooms. The properties will be a mixture of social rent, capped rent and part ownership.
During the meeting a number objections were made most of which surrounded the limited access to the site.
Many residents raised concerns regarding the unsuitable and unsustainable road and the problematic Dilmore Lane and A38 T-junction. It was also pointed out a proposal to build 40 houses on the same site in 1998 was rejected because of the access issues.
Residents also accused the council of a lack of strategic thinking and failure to take into account the impact of the development on the village with regards education and leisure.
But the Highways Agency said the proposal was satisfactory and it had no objections. It also includes a new priority T-junction and Taylor Wimpley has agreed to widen the road by a minimum of 60cm to 5.5 metres. A new footpath will also be built to allow access to areas of Fernhill Heath, while the proposal contains provision of open spaces and a children’s play area.
Coun Tony Miller, who was against the proposal, said he thought the whole episode was unfair and it was not right to expect Fernhill Heath residents to deal with the impact the development would have on the town.
He added: “I am disappointed and angry residents are going to be left with this amount of traffic.
“The South Worcestershire Development Plan should of been infrastructure lead and this clearly has not happened with the development on Dilmore Lane.
“However, if this actually goes ahead then I will be asking that the 40 per cent of affordable housing is offered to local people first – if we are going to have to suffer then it must be for them.”
