WELLAND residents have been making their feelings known about a major planning application for the village – and they don’t like it.

Kier Developments wants to build 50 homes at Lawn Farm, Drake Street, according to a planning bid submitted to Malvern Hills District Council.

About 100 people crowded into Welland village hall last Thursday to voice their objections.

Alan Madsen of Welland Residents Action Group said: “The meeting was overwhelmingly against the proposal and there were some very fiery remarks made. The parish clerk and chairman handled the meeting extremely well and the council can be in no doubt about residents’ feelings about it.”

The site is owned by Roger Cousins, who represents Welland on the district council, and used to be chairman of the Little Malvern and Little Malvern and Welland Parish Council until he resigned the post earlier this year.

Locals have also been posting their objections on the council’s website, and contacting the Malvern Gazette to share their thoughts.

Among their concerns are the size of the proposed development, its site outside the village settlement boundary, the impact on drainage and sewerage and on local roads.

Sheila Phelps, of the Brookend area of Welland, said: “I feel it is a really bad proposition to allow this amount of building on an area of natural agriculture land. I realise the need for local affordable housing, but to try to amass 50 houses, and no doubt that will just be a start, is not realistic.”

Terry Charles of Drake Street said: “The development would generate surface water drainage issues that are of particular significance to the Drake Street area. Having had my property flooded twice in 2007 this is a significant personal concern.”

Nicholas Humphreys of Drake Street said: “During the past fourteen years, on the corner to which our property stands, we have been first on the scene to many accidents involving all types of motor vehicles and all types of people, mostly locals; luckily none fatal. It is something that I do not want to attend on a more regular basis.”

Because of Coun Cousins’ position on Malvern Hills District Council, it is highly likely that the decision on the application will be made by a committee of councillors, rather than by officers using delegated powers.

Little Malvern and Welland Parish Council is due to make its official response to the application at its meeting on Monday at 7.30pm.