A CONCERNED resident in Upton-upon-Severn is starting a campaign to prevent a new housing development on historic parkland overlooking the town.

As the Malvern Gazette reported, Sylvia Partridge, of Tunnel Hill, is alarmed at a bid by Cala Homes to build 22 homes on land next to Karuna House.

Cala has held two public consultation events in Upton and is now finalising details for the housing bid before submitting a planning application.

But Mrs Partridge feels developing the 24-acre site would be a disaster for the area as it contains an ancient ridge and furrow field, dewpond and 12 oak trees that are 600 years old and mark the original field boundary.

Since voicing her concerns in the Gazette she has been buoyed by the amount of support she has received.

“As a result of the publicity I had a visit from a student at Pershore College who is doing a thesis on ancient trees for his degree,” she said.

“He gave me a lot of very useful information about ancient trees in general and said that he thought what is next door to me to be exceptional.”

Mrs Partridge has also arranged to meet local MP Harriett Baldwin and is busy preparing posters, fliers and a new website for her campaign to save the field.

She is also considering organising a public meeting.

Mrs Partridge says her longterm aim is to see the field’s future secured for good either through Heritage Lottery Funding or persuading local service providers to buy it for the good of the community.

Cala says its proposed scheme “respects the rural setting” with low density housing, open space and the retention of many existing features.

Its archaeologists have spoken with their counterparts at Worcestershire County Council and will be assessing the significance of the ridge and furrow.

The developer has also pledged that the oak trees will be retained on site and that root protection areas will be respected and properly maintained.