A MAJOR planning blueprint to govern future housing developments across Droitwich, Worcester, Malvern and the whole of south Worcestershire has been delayed again.
The review of the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) has been pushed back to give more time for vital technical studies to be completed.
It means the plan now won’t be published in October 2021 ready for public consultation and submission for independent examination in February 2022. A new timetable is being drawn up for the publication and submission of the plan. This will be put before Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District Councils for approval in the near future.
Coun Tony Rowley, chair of the SWDP Joint Advisory Panel, said: “It is disappointing we have had to delay the review again but completing the technical studies is important to provide the evidence base to make sure we have a robust and sound plan.
“We will make sure this work is carried out and a new timetable published as soon as possible.”
The revised SWDP sets out how a Government requirement to build another 14,000 new homes across Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon by 2041 will be met.
This is on top of the need for 28,400 new homes by 2030, more than half of which have already been built, set out in the current plan.
