A COUPLE believe “justice has been done” after they were granted planning permission for their dream home.

Kevin and Alison Oliver, of Coles Green, were finally given the green light by planners on Tuesday (April 7) to build an eco-friendly, detached bungalow in the village.

This decision puts an end to a lengthy saga that saw the couple caught between warring councillors, who originally approved the proposal in February, and planning officers, who opposed the development.

Mr Oliver said: “We owe a huge thank you to local residents for all their help.

“We have had an overwhelming amount of support for the development and the questions I have been asked by most residents is ‘well, what else is the ground good for if not a house?’.

He added his family are grateful to Councillor Tony Warburton for “always backing up the local residents’ needs” and to Independent candidate Sarah Rouse.

Stephen Seymour, of Leigh and Bransford Parish Council, also supported the couple and spoke passionately in favour of their bid during the Malvern Hills District Council planning committee meeting.

He said: “This application is supported by both district councillors, a unanimous vote within the parish council and the majority of the near neighbours, many of whom came tonight to register their support.

“District councillors are here to interpret planning rules in the interests of the electorate they serve. You are not here just to rubber stamp officers’ opinions. You represent the people – listen to them.”

Planning officers strongly outlined their opposition to the proposed development during the meeting but ultimately without success.

Mr and Mrs Oliver and their two boys, aged eight and 13, can now begin planning for their new home, which will be built by Mr Oliver.

He is a self-employed, qualified builder who works locally in the parish.

The new home will be sustainable and environmentally-friendly, featuring ground source heating, rainwater harvesting and solar panels.

Planning approval for the bungalow on The Dell brownfield site near Coles Green was initially approved by the Malvern Hill District Council’s northern area development committee on Wednesday, February 4.

But planning officers recommended this decision be overturned because “the application is substantially in conflict with local and national planning policy and has district wide significance”, “is not considered to represent sustainable development” and is in an “isolated rural location”.

They referred the application to the council’s full planning committee, leaving Mr and Mrs Oliver “devastated” and facing an “upsetting” wait.

Full approval was however granted this week and the couple are delighted they can now move forward with their plans.