Plan for new homes in Church Lench rejected by planners

Developer H2Land had wanted to build the homes on land off Low Road in Church Lench.

But an application for outline planning permission has been refused by Wychavon District Council planners.

They classed the proposal as ‘backland development’, which refers to the development of land at the back of existing buildings.

The plans included indicative images of what the scheme would look like (Image: Tailored Designs)

Officers said the plan would cause “adverse landscape harm to the character of the area” and would be “too large in size and scale for the settlement”.

Setting out the reasons for refusing planning permission, they also said: “The application site is not considered to be a sustainable location for residential development due to limited local services, a lack of sustainable transport options and the sole reliance on the use of cars for future residents.”

The plans were for a mixture of two, three, four and five-bedroom properties, including bungalows and two-storey homes.

Dozens of neighbours objected to the development, with many raising concerns that Church Lench does not have the amenities needed to serve a large increase in its population.

Tony Wawryk said: “There is no shop, pub, Post Office or surgery, and school places are limited.

“Bus services are only twice daily, meaning new residents will need to access all such amenities in neighbouring towns by car, adding further to existing local traffic.”

Nicola Wood said: “There are no footpaths and street lighting along Low Road and the immense increase in traffic would create a major safety problem for pedestrians and riders.

“With a nearby large housing estate underway in Harvington, I feel such a development is not needed and would only be detrimental to the environment.”

South Lenches Parish Council said the site is outside the area’s planning boundary and that an increase in traffic would only add to traffic problems caused by speeding motorists.