ANGRY residents in Powick are protesting over what they call “outrageous” proposals for 45 new homes.

A residents group called Protest Powick Greenfield (PPG) is up in arms over suggestions the land off Hospital Lane could be developed.

Residents say Powick’s growth has outstripped any similar-sized village in Worcestershire over the last 15 years, and that “enough is enough”.

Developers Bovis Homes wants to build 45 new properties on the site, with 18 of them affordable homes.

A planning application is expected to be submitted to Malvern Hills District Council imminently, and a consultation event was held last week so the company could get opinion.

Cathryn Throup, of PPG, said: “There is no evidence Powick needs or should be expected to take more housing.

“Development of the proposed site would destroy forever one of the best gateway views of the Malvern Hills.”

The group also said it was “incensed” by the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP), a blueprint which earmarks land for 23,000 new homes by 2030.

The PPG has labelled the consultation “a joke” by saying more time was needed for people to get involved, and that it was encouraging speculative planning applications.

In the SWDP Powick is expected to grow by 43 properties, with land on two different sites earmarked for development.

Bovis Homes wants to build 45 properties on just one site, with critics saying the firm is trying to get in quickly before the SWDP is formally agreed next year.

District councillor Tom Wells said: “In the last 15 years we’ve seen 220 homes go up around the old hospital site, and around 30 other dwellings constructed elsewhere in the village.

“Whilst growing at a rate far beyond other villages, we’ve lost our post office, butchers and convenience store.”

Councillor Marc Bayliss, who chairs a panel which developed the SWDP, said: “The latest consultation was six weeks, we’ve also ran a range of public events, and residents are still able to write in or e-mail to have their say.”

A spokesman for Green Planning Solutions, on behalf of Bovis Homes, said: “We are at the initial stages with this and are still going through the feedback.

“We are still welcoming comments.”

To have your say on the Powick plans, e-mail applications@ gpsllp.co.uk.