New Rushwick development delayed by county council failings

Peter Whatley, Malvern Hills District Councillor for Alfrick, Leigh and Rushwick, has shared concerns over the future of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review and the contents of the plan if it becomes a reality.

Cllr Whatley said: "The county council were supposed to produce a transport plan by June, but they've now said they will have one in December which will delay the plans even more.

"Without this transport plan, the South Worcestershire Development Plan is useless.

"I don't want to put all the blame on them, as there are other issues like Covid that played a role, but it is largely down to the county council."

A review of the South Worcestershire Development Plan first began in 2017 and has seen its adoption date pushed back several times to December 2024.

The plan would see over 1,000 homes being built between Rushwick and Lower Wick as well as at other sites in the region, such as the highly anticipated Worcestershire Parkway development which will create a new town on the outskirts of the city.

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Cllr Whatley also shared concerns about the contents of the plan: "I've been informed that a large part of the strategy could be rail-based.

"The problem with that is that Rushwick doesn't have a railway station and no one is going to be able to afford to build a new station, which could cost tens of millions."

While the new development is expected to almost double the size of the village, little progress has been made in developing infrastructure for new families moving to the village.

Cllr Whatley added: "The planning system in the UK doesn't work like it does in other countries.

"As the housing is built, contactors have to pay towards the council, which then goes towards paying for new amenities and infrastructure.

"As a result, the infrastructure lags behind the development as the housing is always completed first."The plan for Rushwick revealed in September 2022 (Image: South Worcestershire Development Plan) When the plan was revealed in September 2022, suggestions were made that a new school, new shops, new sports facilities and a new village hall would be included in the deal, but these additions may not be completed until 2041.

A spokesperson for the county council said: "Worcestershire County Council are working with the South Worcestershire Councils and National Highways to complete the transport modelling of the plan to the deadline set by the planning inspectors of December 31, 2024.

"Once this work is completed it will be published on the Local Plan examination website."