A PLAN to build two homes in a ‘luxury’ village which was rejected for being too dependent on using a car to get around could still be allowed to go ahead after an appeal was lodged with the government’s planning inspector.

The plan for two four-bedroom homes in Sale Green near Worcester, which is already filled with luxury and much-sought-after homes, was turned down by planning officers at Wychavon District Council last September because it was ruled to be too rural to offer any other alternative but use a car to get around.

Ryan Hill of Cardwell Hill Developments based in Barbourne in Worcester has referred the council’s decision to the government’s planning inspectors – which have the power to overrule the council – in a bid to get the decision overturned.

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Rejecting the plan last year, the district council also said that the lack of footpaths on the main Sale Green Road through the small hamlet – which is more than seven miles from Worcester – meant that it would force families to drive instead of walking, cycling or using public transport.

Officers said it clashed with the council’s policies on ‘sustainable’ development and that, coupled with the land on the edge of Sale Green being outside any designated boundary for the small community and classed as ‘open countryside’ which is strictly controlled, meant they could not give the seal of approval.

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“The location and condition of nearby roads do not include footways, nor are lit and do not encourage sustainable journeys even for the shortest journeys,” officers said.

“Future occupants […] would not have access to a choice of travel modes with access to education, health, retail and other local amenities heavily dependent on private car use, resulting in a poor connection between people and places and a poorly integrated development.”

A total of 14 objections were made to Wychavon District Council during consultation with residents in Sale Green claiming they were concerned that the ‘significant gap’ between properties in the hamlet, which gave the area its character, was being weakened by the plans to build two more family homes on green space.