KEMPSEY residents are "absolutely elated" after news that plans for up to 140 homes  have been rejected by Malvern Hills councillors.

The application, put forward by Hallam Land Management in early 2023, included plans for up to 40% affordable housing, land for a primary school, green infrastructure and sustainable drainage systems. 

The original application had been met with huge protests, with over 250 Kempsey residents letting their feelings known to the district council.

Seventy villagers turned up to protest against the new application, which was recommended for approval by officers, on  Wednesday 7 February, which saw them come out victorious as the small village of Kempsey played  David to Hallam Land's Goliath. 

Mike Shelton, one of the heads of the protest, said, "it was great to see that much village support of the meeting, and we were absolutely elated when we heard the result.

"We feel that the village is already becoming more and more overdeveloped, the general feeling from our group is - leave Kempsey alone."

At the Malvern Hills District Council northern area planning committee, officers cited unacceptable pressure on existing infrastructure and services in the village. 

Councillor Tom Wells said, "This is not a sustainable development and this is not a sustainable village for such development."

"It's already significantly outgrown its primary school capacity, so for that reason alone, I would support a refusal of this application."

Councillor David Harrison even accused Hallam Land Management of harassing him and his fellow councillors by sending an overzealous amount of correspondence. 

Cllr Harrison said, "They've been sending emails of the plan, sending mail of the plans, even calling us up asking us to vote in their favour, I call it harassment."

The committee said the offer of land for a primary school would not resolve this issue as there is little prospect of the school being fit for purpose by the time the proposed housing development is completed and occupied. 

Kempsey Parish Council clerk, Sharon Baxter said, "Kempsey is now larger than nearby towns without the social infrastructure to support it. The lack of school places is a particular example where our primary school is already at capacity with no scope for further expansion."

There have been 550 new homes in the last 10 years, with 40 more recently approved,