AN ‘OVERCROWDED’ housing development in Powick has been given the go-ahead despite fears it will become ‘a recipe for future problems’.
Malvern Hills District Council’s northern area development management committee approved controversial plans to build 19 homes on the land behind the Crown pub at a meeting last Wednesday (February 4).
However there are fears over access to the site, which will be on scrubland owned by Marstons, and the fact the pub could become a ‘rat-run’ for cars trying to get out on to Malvern Road.
Coun Tom Wells, councillor for the area, said: “If this application is approved that would mean all in all [with other ongoing developments] there will be 201 homes coming to Powick.
“There are currently 200 there, so this would help double the size of the village. It is an extraordinary amount of housing for one village in Worcestershire.
“You would be creating a real safety hazard by accepting this application.”
Coun Anthony Warburton added: “It is another proposal from a rural village into an urban development in Worcestershire.
“This is a step too far and it is time for this council to say no we are not going to accept developments of this type in these rural locations.”
The 0.62 hectare site will include eight affordable homes but resident Stephen Roe, of Russell Close, said proposals were wholly out of keeping with the area and problems were likely to develop in the future.
Coun Elaine Newman said: “I am very concerned about this development.
“The area is already being overdeveloped and the pub is very popular, it closes at 11pm seven days a week.
“Is this really the right place to build new houses?”
A total of eight councillors voted in favour of the plans with six going for refusal.
