Rejected scheme for 'affordable' homes near Upton goes to appeal

Plans to build 25 homes on fields off the main Ryall Road in Holly Green were rejected by Malvern Hills District Council in November.

Planning officers had recommended the plan for approval, saying it would help address the lack of affordable housing across the district.

But councillors felt the development was in the wrong location and would lead to the loss of farmland, with Upton councillor Martin Allen saying the houses would “stick out like a sore thumb”.

HOMES: Furrow Close in Holly Green (Image: MHDC)

An appeal has now been lodged by developer Hamelin Partnerships, meaning a decision on the scheme now rests in the hands of a planning inspector.

The proposed homes, which would include a mix of one, two, three and four-bed properties, would link up with existing new-builds in Furrow Close, Holly Green.

In its appeal, Hamelin says the site “represents a suitable location” for the development.

“It can be demonstrated that there is a local housing need for the type of housing which is being proposed and that need can only be addressed by granting additional planning permissions for affordable housing.

“The council has understated the scale of the housing crisis and reduced weight should be afforded to its Local Plan’s development strategy to address that housing need because of its housing land supply position.”

The developer argues that the land is not classed as “best and most versatile agricultural land” - the type of land Natural England says should be protected from significant, inappropriate or unsustainable development.

Hamelin also says the site is small and is reliant on access via Furrow Close, restricting its importance as farmland.

The document shows that eight of the homes would be shared equity and 17 would be what the developer calls “affordable rent”.

A total of 48 car parking spaces would be provided for the 25 homes, plus cycle storage in the form of communal storage racks for apartments and maisonettes.