Fate of homes is decided by a casting vote (From Worcester News)

Fate of homes is decided by a casting vote

6:40pm Saturday 13th March 2010 in

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CONTENTIOUS housing plans branded too “mundane” have scraped through on a single councillor’s vote.

Developer Cala Homes wants to build 24 properties at the southern gateway of the picturesque village of Eckington, near Pershore.

But the proposals raised the hackles of half the members on Wychavon District Council’s planning and development control committee.

Several councillors spoke against the development’s design – including aspects such as drainage, car parking spaces and sheer number of homes.

However, the decision fell to committee chairman Councillor Jean Dowty, whose casting vote meant the plans were approved.

Resident Robert Pygott said he thought there would not be enough parking on the site, so drivers would leave cars clogging up the village. Mr Pygott said: “You have 36 car parking spaces for 24 houses.

“There’s no other place to park other than on the footpaths or one other alternative – blocking the main road.”

Worcestershire County Council highways officers raised no objections on traffic grounds.

Meanwhile, Councillor Tony Smith, speaking on behalf of Eckington Parish Council, asked for “one less house” on the development and better design.

However, Ruben Bellamy, spokesman for Cala Homes, told councillors that having 24 homes on the site was “a benefit” because of government pressure on councils to boost house numbers. He also moved to allay fears over sewage affecting a nearby plant nursery’s water supply, saying that “no foul water sewage” would get into the ground.

Councillor Ron Davis said he was “satisfied” that the developer had addressed concerns over drainage.

Councillor Anna Mackison said the design of the homes left much to be desired.

She said: “I’m not sure they’ve got it quite right. I think it looks pretty mundane.”

Fellow councillor Pam Davey said: “Without too much effort you can make these homes look part of the village, saving any antagonism towards people living in them in the future.”

Development control manager Jonathan Edwards said that there was “all kind of building types” in the village.