A LARGE estate in Leigh Sinton moved a step closer to being built after councillors approved the design of a scheme to create more than 50 homes in the village.
Outline proposals to construct 53 homes on Kiln Lane were passed through in June last year and Cala Homes tabled its reserved matters application to Malvern Hills District Council’s Northern Area Management Committee last Wednesday (June 1).
A total of 51 houses will now be built at the site but fears were raised over the proposed height of some of the buildings and access to the estate.
Coun Sarah Rouse, councillor for the area, said: “Both the plots entering the new site are large and imposing houses with detached garages.
“Perhaps just scaling down these houses would allow those at the end of the site a better, more spacious environment.
“There is also the issue of the two-and-a-half storey house which Cala state will fit in with the local area.
“I have yet to find a two-and-a-half storey house in Leigh Sinton. I feel such houses are more urban in design and do not fit in with the surrounding estate.”
Coun Anthony Warburton, also councillor for the area, said the decision to pass the development through at outline stage was a ‘big mistake’ while Coun Tom Wells, councillor for Powick, added he was worried about the lack of open space.
“For these future households I am sure owners would say ‘is that the best we can come up with?’,” Coun Wells said. “Is that the 21st century design specification.
“The decision we take go way beyond our life time.”
Reuben Bellamy, planning director at Cala Homes, added: “We appreciate for people near the site this change will not be welcomed.
“But we have made a number of changes which will hopefully make this more acceptable to meet requirements. The scheme is a good design and layout worthy of Leigh Sinton.”
A total of six councillors voted in favour, five against and one member abstained.
