Homes plan in Upton Snodsbury near Worcester backed despite flooding concerns

Owl Homes put forward plans to build another 13 homes - a mix of two-bed bungalows and two-and-three-bed homes - on the site of Woodview Garage off Worcester Road in Upton Snodsbury.

The plans were backed by Wychavon District Council’s planning committee at a meeting on Thursday (January 7).

Upton Snodsbury councillor Linda Robinson said: “This site has been an eyesore for Upton Snodsbury since before I became a councillor back in 2007 and since then it has been the cause of much controversy within the village until it became an allocated site in our current SWDP in 2016.

“Several different applications have come before us and developers have come and gone but at last we are seeing progress which is welcome by many.

“The finishing line is in sight but there seems to be a few hurdles to cross before we get there.”

Cllr Robinson said she had been reassured by the developer that drainage systems would be finished before any further homes were built.

She said council enforcement officers were forced to visit the site before Christmas as builders working on the already approved homes had flooded part of the A422 in front of the site leading to many complaints from residents.

“Matters had been worse as a drain opposite the site has been damaged for some time although it has often been reported and I think there is a legitimate concern that this situation could be repeated,” she added.

“In light of the bad weather we are likely to see in January and February this could become even more dangerous for motorists and pedestrians on this vast stretch of road where sadly speed limits are not enforced.”

Upton Snodsbury’s county councillor Rob Adams said there had been issues with flooding and drainage on the road throughout the 16 years he had represented the village.

He said he had “severe reservations” about the plan and abstained from voting.

The developer had plans to build nine homes on the site approved in November 2019.