Concerns over 800-home plan for green belt land

Councillors have spoken out against green belt land on the edge of Worcester being earmarked for up to 800 homes.

Developer Summix wants to develop land at Church Farm in Cornmeadow Lane, Claines, a village north of Worcester and their plan would span a 48-hectare (119-acre) area, from the Ombersley Road to Droitwich Road, with between 650 and 800 homes.

But local Liberal Democrat councillors Mel Allcott, Karen Holmes and Jessie Jagger said they were concerned about the loss of green belt land through the scheme.

Summix has been asked for a response. The developer is holding pre-application discussions with planning officers ahead of submitting a formal application, later in the year.

The site is not included in the recently approved south Worcestershire development plan review, which sets out where housing development should take place.

Allcott said Claines was loved because of its rurality, and green belt land played a "crucial part" in keeping the "heritage, the historic setting and doing what it is intended to do, preventing urban sprawl."

"I know from past experience, alongside residents, any dilution of green space, including green fields and river footpaths, is not welcome," she added.

Jagger said: "Pre-application discussions are often not public at this stage, so it was important to us that residents were made aware as early as possible once we were able to do so.

"We will continue to engage constructively, but we are clear that we will stand up for our residents and ensure their views are fully represented as this progresses."

The councillors said residents could submit comments directly to the developer during pre-application consultation.

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