A WETLAND habitat will be created on riverside meadows in Pershore after councillors gave the plan the go-ahead.

The plan will see the undeveloped natural river meadows transformed into an open area for wading birds and wintering wildfowl, with a reedbed area, ponds and bird viewing screen.

Wychavon district councillors agreed for the wetland to be built at King George’s Way, Pershore, at a development control committee meeting.

However, Malcolm Parker, who lives near the site, accused the council of previously reacting to events rather than thinking ahead when it came to clearing ditches on the meadow, which is in a floodplain.

Mr Parker, of nearby Cherry Orchard, said he did not object to the plan but had suffered from flooding and wanted to know the wetland would be managed correctly.

He said: “The meadows have blocked the pipes before and caused me flooding. That’s why it’s imperative those ditches and the outflow is quite clear.

“If the work does not commence by September then I shall be very disappointed if those ditches are not cleared and the outflow is not investigated. I shall be very disappointed if I am unable to see the management plan for the clearance of ditches and be able to make comments.”

However, he praised the council for taking his views seriously and adjusting plans accordingly.

Coun Colin Tucker supported the wetland idea saying: “There has been a substantial amount of discussion with the public and generally very favourable comments. This is not just a wetland, it’s an enhancement of the entire meadow.”

Coun Adrian Darby said: “I think it will increase the number of bats and other species at the sites so I’m entirely in favour of it.”