ANGRY residents cannot move into their new Malvern homes because works on roads have not been finished, according to West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin.

The development at the former Barrack Stores section of the old QinetiQ site has been marketed as Beacon Heights by Bromford Group.

Permission for 33 homes off the Thirlstane Road, Court Road and St Andrew's Road junction was granted to developers Piper Homes in 2020 but the plans were altered and reapproved last year as an electrical substation's location was changed.

Mrs Baldwin said: “I took a look at the former QinetiQ site and saw blocks of new homes that remain unoccupied because there is a stand-off between the county council and the developer about finishing off works on roads.

“It is deeply disappointing to see this happen and I have been contacted by angry constituents who are unable to move into these homes because of this unnecessary hold-up.

“I'm told by the county council that it is working with the developer to sort these problems but this work is simply not happening quickly enough."

Mrs Baldwin wants local planners to look at strengthening their powers to ensure roads are not left unfinished at sites after talks with Malvern Hills District Council leader Tom Wells.

She continued: “I'm grateful for the input of the chief executive and leader of Malvern Hills District Council and have urged them to investigate what powers they have to fix this issue. If they need additional powers, I shall raise this with the Housing Secretary.

“I support any steps the council can take to enforce this and in the interim I have urged the local authorities and the relevant developers to come up with a swift solution to allow people to move into these excellent new homes.”

A Piper Homes spokesperson said: “We have been and continue to be very keen to resolve the prolonged technical approval process between the county council and highways department as soon as possible.

"We are working hard to find an amicable solution to progressing the extensive works along a busy road junction to ensure safe occupation of the new homes, including working with our partner and planning officers to provide phased occupation as quickly as possible.

"We very much welcome the support of the chief executive of Malvern Hills district to help us resolve this matter, resulting in a suitable solution that enables forward progress.

"We are confident that all parties concerned collectively have the right intentions in seeing the development occupied and together the matter can be resolved.

"We are looking forward to welcoming people into their beautiful new homes where they can create memories.”

Councillor Mike Rouse, the county council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Worcestershire County Council is committed to processing applications of this kind as quickly as possible.

"However, it has a statutory duty to ensure that any work carried out on the existing highway or any new roads, pavements or other private land to be dedicated as highway within a housing site are designed and constructed to the appropriate standard to ensure that they are safe for residents, constructed of appropriate durable materials and are properly drained to remove surface water from the highway.

"County council officers have been working with the developer at this location to ensure that their designs and supporting information meet the required standard and have been giving advice and support where necessary to overcome challenges faced by the developer.

"Subject to the work being implemented in accordance with the approved designs, this would enable the properties to be occupied, subject to the approval of the planning authority Malvern Hills District Council.”