PLANS for a traveller site in the Worcestershire countryside have been turned down by councillors.
Proposals had been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council for two static caravans, two touring caravans, fencing, sheds and other works on land at the junction of the B4204 and New Road, between Martley and Tenbury Wells.
The proposal was retrospective in part, with access, hardstanding, fencing and some caravans already in place.
HISTORIC: The listed Fox Inn is opposite the proposed traveller site (Image: MHDC)
The council’s northern area planning committee, which met last Wednesday (May 3) was also told that several trees had been cut down at the site before the application was made.
Parish councillor Tom Clarke said: “On behalf of Hanley Broadheath Parish Council, we object to this application.
“Only eight days ago, the authority refused the application on the opposite corner of the same junction, citing heritage harm, highway impact and inadequate services.
“Yet this application is recommended for approval despite raising the same core issues.
“Strangely, the report accepts that no 10 percent biodiversity net gain is required because the 150-year-old protected hedgerows were removed before the application was submitted.
“Worrying – that appears to mean a developer who clears ecological assets first avoids any need to meet these requirements. We question the morality of this deliberate and unauthorised work.”
A resident said community concerns have been downplayed and there are “inconsistencies” between planning officers’ treatment of this application and their rejection of similar plans for a nearby travellers’ site .
READ MORE: Decision on Worcestershire traveller site due next week
Councillor Duane Hubbard said: “The necessity is for a traveller home suitable for children. Is that worth the loss of countryside, the impact on a nearby Grade II listed building, the environmental impact caused by destruction of woodland, the weak sustainability argument for the location and the detriment to being so far away from amenities?”
Cllr Douglas Godwin said this application coming back was like “flogging a dead horse”.
Concerns were also raised about the impact on the historic Fox Inn, which is opposite the site.
Cllr Tom Wells said the council does not have a five-year supply of traveller pitches and this will continue to be a problem “until it’s not”.
Cllr John Michael said the development was in an “unsustainable location”.
