VILLAGE leaders have asked planners to 'listen to the people' and give the green light to a 'vital' community centre and sports pitches as part of a scheme to build more than 100 homes.

Kempsey Parish Council is backing the plans for 113 homes with community sports pitches, playing fields and a community centre.

The plans, which would include 40 per cent affordable housing, have been given 'strong support' by the parish council. Other members of the community including sports clubs have also added their support to the parish council, urging planners at Malvern Hills District Council to give the scheme the go ahead.

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey submitted the plans in October 2016. The site was included in the Kempsey Neighbourhood Plan, supported by a 'massive majority' in a local referendum.

Chairman of Kempsey Parish Council, Cllr Trevor Geens said: “In October 2017 we had a vote where over 900 people said they agreed with our neighbourhood plan and wanted to see this application approved to deliver the new community centre and sports fields.

"It is vital that the views of local people are taken on board. There are no other options for us to get these much-needed community centre and sports facilities.

"We urge Malvern Hills District Council to listen to the people of Kempsey and give this planning application the go ahead as there is already £1.8million potentially available in S106 money to invest in open space funding.”

Due to be considered soon, it is understood that officers at Malvern Hills are recommending the planning committee reject the application, something which the parish council and developer say goes against local democracy.

In Kempsey, the neighbourhood plan produced by the parish council was formally adopted by Malvern Hills District Council before Christmas, having been supported by 92 per cent of respondents to a referendum last October.

Zain Sharif, Kempsey Cricket Club said: "We believe it to be vitally important, again from a sports organisation prospective, that the residents and their children for generations to come will have a facility available to them that will encourage competitive sports, fitness and ultimately health and well-being as well as providing a proud focal point for the community in general.”

Ed Bradford, chairman of Kempsey Lawn Tennis Club, said: “We have been looking to extend our membership for years but because of site constraints that hasn’t been possible. This new development gives us the chance to create an extra court and take on more members from the surrounding community. "

Andy Dallow, Chairman of Kempsey Colts FC said: “The club is now growing at such a rate that without these new facilities we will not be able to play football in the village. We need these new sports pitches so that every child in Kempsey can have the chance to play football with us. "

Mary Beck, from Taylor Wimpey said: “This is a great example of the local community working collaboratively with a developer to bring forward a policy compliant project which benefits the whole area. We are calling on planning officers to listen to the views of local people and recommend the application for approval.”