RESIDENTS have come out fighting after highways chiefs reversed their recommendation to refuse plans for more than 100 homes in Malvern Link.
Proposals to build 110 properties on land off Lower Howsell Road initially looked like being thrown out after Worcestershire County Council’s Highways department said the Spring Lane junction near the site was under strain and further development would add stress to it.
However, following ‘further clarification of traffic data’ officers did a U-turn on their original decision and have instead pledged to pump almost £200,000 in infrastructure and improvements if the development gets the green light.
But Summerfield Road resident Ron Harris, who organised the Malvern Link Forum, told The Observer any work on the site could have a devastating impact.
“We ran a petition when this application was first submitted, which got more than 800 signatures, and the support against it is still as strong now as when it was first lodged,” he said.
“I struggle to see how the county council has changed its recommendation on this. A similar proposal was rejected years ago and the proposed entrance has not changed, so it is still just as dangerous.
“Is it really going to take a serious accident on Lower Howsell Road for the highways department to realise this should not happen?”
A total of £191,000 from developer Madresfield Estates is set to be injected into the area, with £98,540 set aside to upgrade the A449 from the junction with the Upton Road (B4424) and the junction with the A4440 at Powick Hams.
There would also be £57,645 to improve the bus services to Malvern Town, a £25,000 boost for cycling provisions along the A449 footway and £10,000 would be spent on pedestrian access from the site. A series of dropped kerbs would also be installed.
Resident Linda Norris called it a ‘very worrying situation’ and others living there have raised a range of Issues, including flooding, increased traffic, health and safety and pollution.
In a letter to Malvern Hills District Council, Ms Norris said: “In the past month we have had three instances in Vandra Close plus an ongoing situation which has involved the police.
“If the planned development goes ahead where are the extra police coming from, because I can assure you the crime rate will increase ten fold at the very least.”
A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said after the Highways department initially recommended the scheme be refused, the developer provided further clarification, relating to the traffic data.
“Based on that we were satisfied the traffic associated with the development could be accommodated on the highway network.
“Therefore county council highways is now recommending approval.”
