HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition against a controversial development to build holiday lodges on a woodland outside Great Malvern.
At the time of going to print, 792 people had pledged their support to the online petition opposing the Three Counties Agricultural Society’s proposals to build 50 lodges and a reception office on the land across Blackmore Road.
Sharon Taylor, of Meadow Road, Malvern Link, set up the campaign after her online community action group Save Langdale Wood was joined by more than 150 people in a matter of weeks.
A crowdfunding page has also been put together by the mother-of-two to raise funds to cover the costs of leaflets, posters and promotion material to fight the application.
Speaking to the Observer, Mrs Taylor said: “To have seen so much support for the petition after setting up the Facebook page has been overwhelming.
“It is all about trying to make sure as many people as possible get on board to show how much we are against this application.
“Surely they [Malvern Hills District Council] cannot ignore us based on the strength of the support we are getting.”
Mrs Taylor and other worried residents visited Langdale Wood at the end of October to discuss how best to fight the application.
About 50 people attended the event and following its success, another public meeting has been scheduled for December 7 at Hanley Swan Village Hall starting at 7pm.
However, the meeting comes six days after Malvern Hills District Council’s consultation process comes to an end.
“It is a bit of a problem that consultations end before our meeting so it might be a case of us going to an appeal,” said Mrs Taylor.
“These meetings are designed to figure out how best we can move forward as the application to build on the land is just ridiculous.
“Our first meeting at the end of last month was well attended and we discussed the history of the woods and our views on the planning application.
“We hope for a similar amount of support at our next meeting.”
Samantha Charles, chair of the West Worcestershire Labour Party, has also lent her support to the campaign
She stated the wood was a ‘magical place of outstanding natural beauty’ which should be enjoyed ‘for generations’.
“To destroy the wood to build 50 lodges for visitors who may visit seasonally is an absolute travesty,” she said.
“Especially when there are so many local young people and families in Malvern desperate for housing and so much hotel and B&B accommodation in need of business locally already.”
To sign the petition visit http://bit.ly/2zUn1Ps or search Save Langdale Wood on Facebook to join the community action group.
Donations for promotion material can be made at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-langdale-wood.
