Plans to turn a historic water tower into a four-bedroom house and underground garage have re-emerged.
Proposals were put forward to convert Besford Water Tower near Pershore in January 2025 but were then withdrawn after highways experts raised concerns.
The scheme has now been resubmitted to Wychavon District Council by architects KODA, which says the proposed access to the site meets safety requirements.
HIDDEN: The house will be partially shielded by trees when viewed from the road (Image: KODA)
Similar plans first appeared in 2015 and were turned down by the council in 2023.
The tower was built in the early 20th century to supply water to nearby Besford Court but eventually became redundant.
All that survives now are two brick water tanks, encased in concrete and surrounded by an earth bund.
HIDDEN: The house will be partially shielded by trees when viewed from the road (Image: KODA)
The plan is to turn the water tanks themselves into bedrooms, bathrooms, and “back-of-house services” on the ground floor of the property, which would also have a “garden sitting room”.
A “lightweight” first floor would feature an open plan kitchen/dining/sitting area plus a “formal living” room and toilet.
“An alfresco deck encircles the entire first floor served via a series of sliding doors from the kitchen living area,” the plans state.
HISTORIC: The water tower was built in 1926 to supply water to Besford Court (Image: KODA)
“This is bounded by a frameless glass balcony.”
Defford & Besford Parish Council, which has expressed concerns over previous plans, has said it has no objection to this application.
Worcestershire Highways has also said it has no objection to the most recent proposal, saying the development “would not result in a significant detrimental impact on the local highway network”.
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KODA says the house, if built, would preserve the historic water tower “in a meaningful and sustainable way which showcases the utilitarian structure and its history”.
“The proposed development seeks to retain and enhance the existing water tower structure whilst transforming the redundant structure into a habitable contemporary dwelling befitting the location and the unique character of the host building.”
RURAL: Plans show the amount of green space around the building (Image: KODA)
It adds: “Notwithstanding a couple of fleeting glimpses with the aid of binoculars through shrubbery, the site is all but imperceivable from the nearby Grade I Listed Croome Court Park.
“There is next to no direct intervisibility from the main attraction, and limited intervisibility exclusively from the land separated by the M5 motorway to the west of Croome.”
