200-home scheme for Cales Farm, Malvern is approved

Outline plans for a huge new estate at Cales Farm, near the existing Malvern Vale development, were approved by the district council’s southern area planning committee on Wednesday (October 16).

Hallam Land Management says it will provide 80 affordable homes on the site and turn half of the land into “green infrastructure” including play areas and wildlife corridors.

MEETING: Councillors and members of the public at a planning meeting to decide on plans for Cales Farm (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones/LDRS)

John Raine, a councillor for the West ward, said he had “come to terms with the idea of development on this site” and was relieved it was 200 homes, not 400 as originally planned.

“On balance, this ticks enough of the right boxes for me,” he said.

But not all councillors were as convinced by the plans.

Cllr Mark Driscoll raised fears the development would have a “significant visual impact from the top of the hills”.

Cllr Paul Bennett said: “We should be a national park. Our primary consideration should be encroachment towards the hills.

COUNCILLORS: The plans were approved - but not unanimously (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones/LDRS)

“We’re chipping away at something that we should never chip away at because we’ll never get it back. It doesn’t happen on the Herefordshire side of the border because the towns don’t come that far.”

Resident Michael Obi had spoken earlier at the meeting, saying neighbours had concerns about the added burden on Sayers Avenue, which will provide access to the site, and the increased pressure on Belmont Road.

READ MORE: Decision due on plans for 200 homes at Cales Farm, Malvern

Cllr Christine Wild said: “Traffic flows on Belmont Road are much worse than they used to be and because of on-street parking, pushchairs and wheelchairs can’t get through. I campaigned many years ago about that.”

Planning officer Clare Bull said Worcestershire Highways had not objected to the plan.

And Cllr Malcolm Victory said: “This is a sensitive area and development but we have to be practical.

MASTERPLAN: This shows what the site could look like, including a large green space to the west (Image: Hallam land managment)

“Traffic problems are part of living in the 21st century I’m afraid. We have to think of the housing supply. The government is driving it like crazy and our powers of controlling it are getting fewer and fewer.”

Cllr John Gallagher said there was anecdotal evidence of Roman villas being on the site.

Planning officers said archaeological digs would take place before any building work got underway.

Councillors voted by nine to three in favour of the plans, with one abstention.

The developer will still need to come back with a more detailed application - the ‘reserved matters’ stage of the planning process - before construction can start.