RESIDENTS say they fear their village will be turned into another “soulless commuter town” by plans to build 100 new homes.

Early proposals to build the huge estate on fields in Tibberton near Worcester have been put forward by ‘luxury’ developer Mactaggart and Mickel.

More than 35 objections have already been raised by villagers in Tibberton who say the development is far too big.

Valerie Smith of Plough Road said: “There are no facilities in the village, no shops, post office or medical centre. hence villagers have to travel to access any services.

“How will this affect the village when there are in excess of potentially another 400 people living there? This will turn a village with a community feel into a soulless commuter town.”

Duncan Catterall, also of Plough Road, said: “The road infrastructure in particular, but actually the whole village including the school and other amenities, is simply not in place for the development of this land.

“The listed bridge … [is] already prone to regular damage … as we see the village used as a short cut to Worcester city centre and access to the M5 motorway.”

Caroline Mayneord said: “The village does not have the infrastructure to support a development of this size; with a single track, grade two-listed bridge leading out of the village in one direction and the road out of the village in the other direction being reduced to a single lane as cars park on one side due to not every house having a space or drive.”

The homes would be built on land next to the village’s Plough Road and north of Evelench Lane near to the Speed the Plough pub.

The plan also includes a new car park for the pub and “will create on-site open space and recreation including sports provision, children’s play spaces, walking and cycling routes and green infrastructure.”

The applicant Mactaggart and Mickel has requested a screening opinion from Wychavon District Council which means a brief plan will be assessed to determine whether it will need an environmental impact assessment ahead of a full planning application being submitted in the future.