SIR – Deliberations over the South Worcestershire Development Plan and future housing needs for the county have so far obscured the fact that a travesty of local democracy is being perpetrated on the residents of Clifton-upon-Teme.
An overwhelming majority of villagers there accept the need for a further 30 houses to be built, but not where Malvern Hills’ planners say they must go.
There are two smaller sites in the village favoured by 68 per cent of local residents and preferred by the parish council.
But because the site chosen by the planners is already in the SWDP, we are being told it cannot be changed.
The village’s chosen sites belong to the Brockhill Estate, a benevolent landowner that demonstrably has the best interests of the parish at heart and has consulted widely regarding their proposed development.
The planners’ preferred developer, Miller Homes, is a monolithic builder of housing estates across Britain that has so far attempted only a desultory consultation regarding their plans.
The vast majority of Clifton residents are merely asking for some say in where future development takes place.
If the local democracy trumpeted by our politicians means anything then surely the planners must take note.
KATE SHRUBB
Clifton-upon-Teme
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