Final decision expected on village homes

Councillors are set to make a final decision on the design of a 60-home plan for a village near Evesham.

Wychavon District Council’s planning committee meets on Thursday (November 11) to discuss proposals to build 60 new homes off Stratford Road in Honeybourne.

The plan – which was originally for 65 homes – was approved in principle by councillors last year and the committee will meet again to discuss the more detailed ‘reserved matters’ application which includes design, layout and landscaping.

A report by the council’s planning department has recommended the plan is approved when the committee meets at the Civic Centre in Pershore.

Honeybourne Parish Council, which had objected to the plan last year, welcomed the cut in the number of homes but said developer Owl Homes had not gone far enough in its revisions for it to be supported.

A total of 14 objections were raised during public consultation alongside more than 20 objections to the original plan from 2020.

As residents did last year, concerns were raised about flooding on the land.

Shahid Naqvi of Mickleton Road in Honeybourne said: “This site has importance as a local green space in a village that has had more than its fair share of new development in recent years. There are also other developments already earmarked in the village off Station Road.

“Honeybourne’s infrastructure is straining as it is with additional traffic and cars spoiling the ambience and peace of the village.

“The site in question has recreational importance to the village and is used by joggers and dog walkers. This site is known to be prone to flooding which makes its suitability for development questionable.”

In another objection, Julie Garfield of Stephenson Way, said: “We have lived in Honeybourne for 20 years and have seen a massive extension to this village already.

“The impact has been devastating to the sheer volume of traffic already. There is already an oversubscribed number of children trying to attend what is primarily a village school that is now struggling to accommodate the rising number of children in this small school.

“This beautiful village of Honeybourne will be completely overwhelmed beyond repair, its wildlife has already been damaged by recent large development already.”

Wychavon District Council’s planning committee meets from 2pm on November 11.