RESIDENTS from across the district joined together to voice their objections to Government-led plans for mass housing development in South Worcestershire.

Campaigners from Malvern and Newland joined others from Hallow, Broadheath and Kempsey for Tuesday evening’s (May 5) meeting at the Bank House Hotel, in Bransford.

The meeting was organised by local Liberal Democrat politicians who are looking to unite local opposition to the development plans laid down in the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and more locally the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy (SWJCS).

Under the current proposals in the SWJCS Malvern will have to accommodate at least 1,600 new homes by 2026.

More than 80 people attended Tuesday’s meeting. Parliamentary candidate Richard Burt, who chaired the meeting, said: “Residents spoke with real passion from each of the five areas most affected by the proposed location of these so called ‘urban extensions’ – developments, some the size of Pershore, grafted onto existing towns and villages.

“Everyone agreed that the current Regional Spatial Strategy should be suspended; that a locally driven plan should replace it, and that we should work together to lobby councillors, ministers and officials to ditch the current proposals.”

Heather Jeavons, from Newland, called the current plans “developer and planner led” and “housing by numbers, rather than considered, locally focused, sustainable development.”

More than 30 people have now volunteered to take the campaign forward under the banner of the South Worcestershire Housing Action Group (SWHAG).

Tom Wells, leader of the Lib Dem/Green group on Malvern Hills District Council, called the plans as they stand “environmental vandalism” and said Lib Dems on the council would vote against them when given the opportunity in October.