How we’ll transform your town (From Ledbury Reporter)

Detailed plans unveiled for Newland development, Malvern

7:53am Friday 28th September 2012 in News Exclusive By Tarik Al Rasheed

GREEN SPACES: An artist's impression of the Newland development

MORE detailed plans for the 700-home development that could change the face of Malvern have been revealed for the first time.

The Malvern Gazette has obtained a report by developer Gleeson Strategic Land outlining its plans for a massive development of housing and employment land at Newland, on the north-east edge of Malvern.

The site, a major belt of farmland between Lower Howsell Road and the A449 Worcester Road, is earmarked for 700 homes in the controversial South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).

Gleeson was first linked with the area in 2008, when it submitted a report recommending the same site for inclusion in the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy – the aborted predecessor of the SWDP.

However, the latest document, received by stakeholders including parish councils and Malvern Civic Society this week, reveals exactly what Gleeson has in mind.

As well as 700 homes, including affordable housing and accommodation for the elderly, it refers to 25 acres of employment land, a primary school, community hall, cemetery, police post and neighbourhood shops.

Almost half of the site would be green space, including sports pitches, play areas and a community orchard.

The SWDP – a planning blueprint mapping out where development should take place until 2030 – is still a work in progress and must win the backing of Malvern Hills district councillors before going forward to an examination in public and potential adoption in late 2013.

Gleeson spokesman Scott Chamberlain believes the site is the “most sustainable and suitable” available to Malvern Hills District Council and that it would integrate with adjacent homes and countryside.

“The site is within walking distance of Malvern and due to the scale proposed it can deliver multi-million pound improvements to local roads, the Townsend Way roundabout, affordable housing, on-site employment as well as new facilities,”

he said.

“Should it be included within the SWDP, we propose to undertake wide consultation to discuss the design and ensure the scheme can provide the facilities which are most-needed by the local community to deliver lasting regenerative benefits.”

Shock at scale of housing

Comments(6)

Andy-Apache says...
2:10pm Fri 28 Sep 12

I am almost lost for words (almost, not quite) at the arrogance and presumptiveness of developers such as this. Be honest Gleeson, you don't give a monkeys about "the facilities which are most-needed by the local community to deliver lasting regenerative benefits" - though it is a very nice management buzzphrase. You are interested in smash and grab style development of poor quality, largest profit 'crammed in' style housing.

The local community is getting along fine without said 'facilities' and 'improvements' you plan for MY neighbourhood. Live here, and you might note that is true.

When / how can we remove those responsible for such crass, ugly and unnecessary policies such as the SWDP? The aim is profit, pure and simple, not a better life for those condemned to put up with these eyesores.