CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 150 homes on a valued area of green land in Malvern will not go ahead after the developers’ appeal was dismissed.
Following a two-day appeal hearing at the end of last year, Planning Inspectorate Jane Miles has ruled against Barwood’s plans to build a new estate on Hayslan Fields – a decision which will come as a huge relief to hundreds of residents who have fought the proposals for the last two years.
The Pickersleigh Residents’ Group opposed the large scale plans, which were not part of the South Worcestershire Development Plan, who said the fields were a vital part of green land in Malvern and was used by many people
When plans were initially submitted, a petition against the development was signed by 1,538 people with a further 241 objection letters sent to Malvern Hills District Council.
The district council’s planning committee refused the plans in February last year but Barwood then appealed with a two-day hearing held in November.
The developers argued the land did not confirm to the full meaning of ‘green open space’ as most of the land was privately owned by Malvern St James Girls’ School.
But more than eight months later the planning inspectorate ruled the plans, which included the demolition of a house on Hayslan Road, would have an adverse impact on the area’s character and the newly adopted South Worcestershire Development Plan.
The Inspectorate’s report reads: “I conclude that the scheme’s benefits are not sufficient to outweigh the conflict with the (South Worcestershire) development plan and the substantial harm the proposals would cause in terms of the loss of important green space and the area’s character.
“Due to the scheme’s substantial adverse impacts in terms of loss of green space and harm to the area’s character it would seriously conflict with the environmental dimension of sustainable development.
“In the light of all the above matters the balance of my conclusions indicates the appeal must fail.”
District Council chiefs said they were ‘delighted’ with the outcome.
Gary Williams, Head of Planning and Housing for Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We are delighted with the inspector’s decision to uphold the council’s refusal of planning permission to develop land at Hayslan Fields.
“It is very encouraging the inspector accepted the status and weight to be afforded to the recently adopted South Worcestershire Development Plan and firmly rejected suggestions the council could not evidence a five year housing land supply.
“The inspector recognised how important this area of green space is to the local community and to the character of the town.
“She also very helpfully confirmed that even if the council had not been able to demonstrate a five year housing land supply, she would still have given weight to local planning policy that protects important green space and would have found that the adverse impacts of the development would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”
