PLANS to build 60 homes and a new doctor’s surgery in a village near Worcester have been rejected.

The homes and GP surgery would have sat on around ten acres of land off Sandyfields next to several other developments to the west of Martley as part of plans put forward by Jessup Brothers and Citizen Housing Group.

Planning officers at Malvern Hills District Council said they had “serious concerns” about the loss of land and the damage it would cause to the “valued landscape” and rejected the plan.

More than 35 objections to the plan were submitted to the council during public consultation saying building the homes would result in the village losing its character.

The report, outlining the council’s rejection, said: “The development of the site would result in a very significant incursion westwards.

“As such the harm arising is significant and demonstrable and not outweighed by any benefits.

“Further and set against such concerns, the development would result in a significant, avoidable and unacceptable loss of grade two agricultural land.

“The adverse impacts in this case are considered to outweigh any benefits brought forward by the proposal.”

Martley Parish Council, which had called for the plan to be rejected, also raised concerns about building on open countryside and ruining the “distinctive and valued part of the local landscape.”

One objection by a resident in Martley said: “The application is disproportionate and will damage the character and amenity of Martley village and its surrounding area even further than the existing Hopyard estate has done.

“The village lacks the infrastructure in terms of roads to cope with a significant increase in cars.

“The size of this proposed development is disproportionate to the housing need in Martley; and it will remove what is left of the rural character of the village.

"Further, existing pressures on education and health facilities will be increased.”

The promise of a new doctor's surgery as part of a plan was met with scepticism by the partners of the Great Witley Surgery in Worcester Road, who also own the Martley Surgery, who had not been made aware of the plans.