AN unpopular housing development could become a crime blackspot if given the go-ahead, planners have been warned.

West Mercia Police’s crime risk manager for Worcestershire, Mike Stephenson, has raised concerns over plans to build 21 houses, including some affordable housing, on the site of the Firs, Main Street, Bishampton, near Pershore.

Mr Stephenson said he would have no objections in principle but believes the density of the housing in the village, between Pershore and Evesham, could lead to criminal activity. He said: “The area that causes the greatest concern is around plots nine to 15, which I suspect is the affordable housing. I am of the opinion that the density is too high in this part of the development as plots 12 to 15 have no ownership or surveillance over their parking and vehicles.

“Plus, I will be interested in how the developer will deal with rear access to all these properties without creating the opportunity for criminal and or inappropriate activity.” The plans for the 2.62 acre site – submitted by MWH Projects LLP of Inkberrow – have attracted more than 90 comments from residents on the Wychavon District Council website.

George Swarbrick, of Stanton Fields, Bishampton, said: “The proposed development is excessive and totally inappropriate in a village of this size and location. It will be to the great detriment of the people living in proximity to it and to the character of the village. It will place immense pressure on the current village infrastructure, in particular the narrow, winding and dangerous access roads to Bishampton.”

Villager Graham Boocock has created the website protect-bishampton.info and the application was discussed at the meeting of Bishampton and Throckmorton Parish Council. Under the scheme, the house called Firs would be demolished and access gained via an adoptable road off Main Street. Neil Pearce, development manager at the district council, said the application was still being assessed.