Plans have been revealed for up to 180 homes at a “major entry into Worcester” with views of the Malvern Hills.
The development, which could include open space, landscaping, and access routes, is earmarked for Battenhall Farm in Worcester.
Boningale Developments Ltd intends to submit an outline planning application covering 5.85 hectares off Whittington Road and the A4440.
SCHEME: Plans (in red) show land off Whittington Road and the A4440 earmarked for 180 homes (Image: Marrons)
Worcester City Council said the scheme does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
This is a technical consideration based on whether a proposal is likely to have a significant environmental impact.
In this instance, it was considered the development would not be likely to result in significant environmental effects, in EIA terms.
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The council said: “Whilst a number of environmental considerations will require detailed assessment and appropriate mitigation through any subsequent planning application, the proposed development is not of a scale, nature or complexity that would be likely to give rise to significant environmental impacts within the meaning of the EIA regulations.”
Concerns have been raised about the effect of the scheme on views of the Malvern Hills, its proximity to a scheduled monument, and its location within a green corridor in the south of the city.
BUSY: The Whittington Road and A4440 are major routes into and out of Worcester (Image: Google Maps)
Worcester Civic Society said the homes would be highly visible from public roads, neighbouring properties, and the Cotswold railway line.
The society said: “The site is very visible from the local road network, from surrounding residential properties, business, the Cotswold Railway Line and public rights of way. In part due to its elevated position.
“There are significant views from the top of the site over the valley and towards The Malverns.
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“These are a key feature of this major entry into the city from the south and the motorway.
“The site would be visible by a large number of people as they enter Worcester from the north/west.”
The Civic Society warned the development would lead to a “significant encroachment into the green gap” between Worcester and Whittington, potentially undermining the sense of separation between the two areas.
The proposed site lies south-west of Whittington Road, near Whittington Hall business park and New College Worcester.
It forms part of a wider green corridor connecting Battenhall Park and St Peters to London Road.
The council said “localised impacts” could be dealt with through planning conditions and obligations rather than a full Environmental Impact Assessment.
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