PLANS to build more than 1,000 homes near Worcester have been described as “rushed and short sighted” by a district councillor.

Daniel Walton, who represents the Broadheath ward for Malvern Hills District Council, was responding to plans for homes in Rushwick, which were announced last week as part of the latest proposals for the South Worcestershire Development Plan.

Cllr Walton said: “The plan to put 1,000 houses in the village of Rushwick appears rushed and short sighted.

“It doesn’t give me any joy to go against the administration I am part of but if we adopt the plan to put another 1,000 houses in what is already the most congested part of Malvern Hills, then it’s a legacy we’ll all have to live with. I don’t want to be associated with a legacy that will bring misery to so many people.

“I can’t see any sense in proposing that a further 1,000 houses are built in exactly the same patch and don’t understand how those Councillors and planning officers representing Malvern Hills in these discussions can’t have seen how bad this decision is.

“Highways know the road links aren’t suitable but yet we’re proposing to go ahead anyway with no northern link road and no amendments to exiting roads in the area.

READ MORE: Major plans revealed for 14,000 homes across Worcestershire

“I hope that many other councillors vote against it knowing that the increased traffic will affect their own constituents.

“We do need more houses, we just need to stop building them all in the same place and maybe come up with some fresh ideas when it comes to housing in the area.”

The proposal will go before the council on October 29 but Cllr Walton is barred from voting having previously offered an opinion on the plans. The latest batch of ‘preferred options’ for the SWDP were revealed last week and include more than 14,000 new homes across the county by 2041.

READ MORE: Anger over plans to build 120 homes in Rushwick

Elsewhere, more than 810 homes across Worcester, including 495 homes in Diglis, as well as developments on the edge of the city including 101 homes in Bevere and 40 new homes in Fernhill Heath. The proposals also include 730 homes in Droitwich, 880 homes in Malvern, 200 homes in Evesham and 600 homes in Pershore.

Worcester City Council will have the first say on the plans today (October 22) before councillors in Wychavon and Malvern Hills discuss it throughout the rest of the month. If backed by all three councils, the updated SWDP will still have to go through a six-week public consultation which would begin on November 4.