Village homes could still be built

A plan to build six homes behind a village hall could still go ahead despite being rejected by the council.

The hugely controversial plan to build six homes on land behind Fernhill Heath War Memorial Club off the village’s Droitwich Road was rejected by the council last year after receiving more than 150 objections.

An appeal has now been lodged by developer Lockley Homes with the government’s planning inspectorate hoping to get the decision overturned.

Last year, planners at Wychavon District Council said the new homes would have a “harmful impact” on highway safety and could not be approved.

Almost 150 objections to the plan were submitted to the council before a decision was made with a significant number of villagers in Fernhill Heath raising concerns about parking and traffic problems.

The homes would have been accessed through the existing entrance to the village’s War Memorial Club and car park which is used heavily by parents during school runs at the neighbouring Hindlip CE First School, which does not have parking spaces.

A report from council planning officers outlining the rejection said: “In overall terms whilst the residential development would be acceptable in principle within this location and the site is considered a sustainable location for housing, the harmful impact on highway safety is seen to outweigh the benefits.”

Council planning officers also said there was limited – and separate – paths for pedestrians and cyclists which would “likely” lead to conflict between those walking, cycling and driving.

“Whilst it is recognised that this is the current situation, the addition of the six dwellings will further add to this safety risk as it will add through traffic to the site and remove two of the existing car parking spaces which could lead to more cars circling around to find a parking space,” the report said.

Another plan to build up to 42 homes in Fernhill Heath was put forward by developer William Davis Homes in January.

The homes would be built on just under five-and-a-half acres of fields off Dilmore Lane in the village.

Plans to build 40 homes on land between Sling Lane and the Old Drive off Droitwich Road in the village were approved by Wychavon District Council in 2019.