Inspector backs controversial plan to build homes in Fernhill Heath

The plan to build six homes on land behind Fernhill Heath War Memorial Club, off the village’s Droitwich Road, was rejected by planners at Wychavon District Council more than a year ago over road safety concerns after receiving more than 150 objections.

But the developer Lockley Homes has now won its appeal with the government’s planning inspectorate which means the work can go ahead.

The government inspector said there was no “credible evidence” that building new homes would make the junction unsafe.

“Whilst there would be more vehicles using the access with Droitwich Road there is no credible evidence before me to indicate that it is unsafe for highway users or that adequate visibility in either direction cannot be achieved,” the inspector said.

“In any event, the appellant is proposing improvements to the junction to provide priority for pedestrians and to reduce the speed of traffic entering and exiting the site.”

Last year, planners at Wychavon District Council said the new homes would have a “harmful impact” on highway safety and could not be approved.

Almost 150 objections to the plan were submitted to the council before a decision was made with a significant number of villagers in Fernhill Heath raising concerns about parking and traffic problems.

The homes would have been accessed through the existing entrance to the village’s War Memorial Club and car park which is used heavily by parents during school runs at the neighbouring Hindlip CE First School, which does not have parking spaces.

Council planning officers also said there were limited – or separate – paths for pedestrians and cyclists which would “likely” lead to conflict between those walking, cycling and driving.

A plan to build up to 42 homes in Fernhill Heath was put forward by developer William Davis Homes in January with a decision still to be made.

The homes would be built on just under five-and-a-half acres of fields off Dilmore Lane in the village.