Plans for flats in Worcester city centre withdrawn

A plan to build flats on a tiny patch of grass in a city street has been withdrawn following an outcry from neighbours.

The application by Hartnell Homes would have seen the three-storey block built on the corner of Checketts Close and Checketts Lane off Droitwich Road in Worcester.

Dozens of neighbours spoke out against the plan and the application has now been scrapped according to Worcester City Council.

Objectors to the plan said the patch of grass on the corner of the residential streets was too small to house a three-storey building and the new flats.

The plans for the three-storey building included two two-bed and one one-bed flat as well as five parking spaces – three of which would have been built on a patch of grass opposite.

One objector, Jeannette Martin of Checketts Lane said: “I think it’s absolutely unnecessary, I can’t understand why they’d want to put flats there. Checketts Lane hasn’t got any rooms for any more flats.”

Dan Tippin, also of Checketts Lane, said in an objection: “This tiny green patch of land should remain a green open space. The proposed three-storey high development on a road where parking space is already limited should not be allowed to go ahead in any shape or form.”

Also objecting, Jim and Sandra Rowland, of Checketts Lane, said: “This proposal would definitely lead to further conflict for parking space, loss of light to our property and that of several neighbours, increased noise and air pollution, less privacy, increased traffic and loss of the last green space.”

Highways officers at Worcestershire County Council had recommended the plan should be turned down for not including ‘acceptable’ parking.

Officers said that while five spaces would be built in line with standards, the spaces were too small, and some would force drivers to reverse onto Checketts Lane – which is already busy and sandwiched by the even busier Droitwich Road and Ombersley Road.

The recently published review of the South Worcestershire Development Plan included the nearby Checketts Lane Industrial Estate as a potential site for up to 39 new homes.