Two areas outside Worcester agree on new house-building limit

Councillors from Malvern Hills District voted to adopt the neighbourhood development plans for Hallow and Abberley at a full council meeting on July 20.

Part of the plan is for a site allocation of around 40 new homes at Greenhill Lane and includes a mix of policies to ensure any future developments have a mixture of housing types, including affordable housing.

The draft Plan also includes policies to protect important views, protect community and recreation facilities, retain existing wildlife habitats, protect the Hallow Conservation Area and proposes the designation of six new Local Green Spaces.

The Hallow NDP vision 2041 sets out the community’s ambition for the parish in 20 years’ time.

It was adopted with 96 per cent of the vote, with a turnout of 35 per cent.

In the Community Survey, respondents generally agreed, with 78 per cent of respondents entirely agreeing with the Draft Vision Statement.

15 per cent said they partly agreed while 7 per cent did not agree or had no opinion.

The plan is marked for 2041 so it sits in line with the South Worcestershire Development Plan.

Planning documents say the public were supportive of the plans, saying: "The Community Survey demonstrated strong support for new housing development to provide a mix of homes that is appropriate to meet the needs and demands of local people.

"These needs and demands vary from issues of affordability for those seeking a foot on the housing ladder e.g., starter homes; to downsizing opportunities and bungalows for those who already own a home seeking a smaller property."

A Referendum on the Abberley Neighbourhood Plan was held on June 24.

There was a 30 per cent turn out, with 89 per cent voting in favour of Malvern Hills using the Abberley Neighbourhood Plan to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area.

Part of the plan is for land at The Orchard, Abberley Common, allocated in the SWDP for new housing, with an 'indicative capacity' of six.