A DECISION on whether to allow an “alarmingly excessive” number of new homes to be built in Droitwich has been taken out of the council’s hands after it took too long to make a ruling.

The plan by Countrywide Project Management would see up to 100 homes built on land between the M5 motorway and Tagwell Road in Droitwich.

The developer has now lodged an appeal with the government’s planning inspectorate over ‘non-determination’ after Wychavon District Council missed the statutory deadline to make a decision – which means an inspector will rule on whether to give the plan the green light or not rather than the council.

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The homes would be close to the huge new Yew Tree Hill development, which has resulted in congestion and roadwork problems in Droitwich.

Concerns about more traffic misery on routes which have already suffered long delays were raised over the plan.

Almost 40 objections were raised against the plan with some neighbours objecting over concerns Tagwell Road was too small and unsafe to serve the extra homes.

Dr Martin James, of Tagwell Grange, said the number of homes was “alarmingly excessive” and noise and pollution would be worse and air quality would worsen even further.

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Dr James said plans to remove trees would be a “serious health threat” as the air quality in the area was already at risk of exceeding legal limits.

Droitwich Town Council also objected saying 100 homes was too many and would create too much traffic.

Another objector, Dr Audrey Cook, also of Tagwell Grange, said more homes along Tagwell Road would “at best” cause more congestion and increase the risk of accidents.

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The objection said: “Tagwell Road is already a fast, busy road which caters to residents from several housing developments. The addition of a development with up to 100 homes, which could lead to an extra 100 to 200 cars, will place unacceptable levels of pressure on the local road infrastructure.

“At best it will lead to more congestion, which elevates pollution levels thereby posing a threat to human health, and at worst it will increase the risk of road accidents along the affected portion of Tagwell Road.”