CONTROVERSIAL plans to build three homes in a narrow street in Worcester have been approved despite neighbours and parents saying they will make parking problems even worse.

Three homes will be built on overgrown land on the corner of Vicar Street and Rainbow Rise off Rainbow Hill in Worcester.

Many residents had spoken out against the scheme due to the “chaotic” parking, traffic and safety concerns but the proposal was nevertheless backed in principle by Worcester City Council’s planning committee on Thursday.

The 3rd Worcester Scouts Group, which is based in Rainbow Rise, had objected to the application, saying parking was already a “major issue” for neighbours and that drop-off and pick-up times for the scouts group were problematic with the only available space on-street and in Rainbow Rise. The group had already changed its meetings times after traffic and parking problems.

The group was also concerned that future residents of one of the new homes, which would overlook the scout hut and Raindrops Nursery, which is also based in the building, would be disturbed by the constant noise.

Councillors said it was a derelict piece of land which had been unkempt for several years and building homes would be the best use for it.

Councillor Jo Hodges said: “What I think we have here is an area in part of the city where there is very little on-street parking. There is some on-street parking but it is not sufficient for all the cars and houses.

“And so we have got an area of land that is sort of unofficially adopted as somewhere where you can leave your car but that doesn’t mean we have to protect that right to park your car there.

“There is sufficient parking for the proposal that is before us and we would have to ensure it had that if it came forward as a more detailed planning application.

“I don’t think putting three houses there would make the road any more dangerous than it is now."

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Cllr Jenny Barnes said three homes would fit very well and it would be a good use of the site and Cllr Pat Agar said it was a derelict piece of land that she would like to see cleared up.

Several residents in Vicar Street said roads were too narrow and would not cope with the extra cars from the new homes.

Residents said delivery lorries and other heavy goods vehicles would not be able to turn around in Vicar Street if permission was given.

The original plan for four homes was reduced to three homes after discussions with the council.

Plans had already been provided for the number of car parking spaces which satisfied the council’s rules.

Karen Hatchett from the highways department at Worcestershire County Council recognised the street was narrow and parking for residents was already tight and congested. She said future applications for the site would not be supported if they did not provide the adequate number of car parking spaces.

More than 60 objections were made by neighbours opposing the plan, largely over parking and traffic problems.

Anna Lewis, of Astwood Road, said: “With the surrounding area already being over-populated and largely built up, adding to this with such implausible plans will cause further issues regarding parking and traffic flow.

“As a resident of a property in close proximity, this road gives many a place to park for those who already lack parking.

“Further, it will be dangerously chaotic to erect these buildings, with the prolonged use of large vehicles being needed for this project to occur.

“Vehicles and people of all ages including children regularly use this road to access properties and businesses, potentially putting their welfare at jeopardy for a considerable amount of time.”

Julie Barnes of Albany Road said: “Parking is already an extremely high concern for our neighbours in the area as vehicles park on double yellow lines or block residents drives and residents are unable to park.

“The proposed dwellings are looking to replace the parking already in use for some of our neighbours but this will lead to even further problems with parking and this area cannot cope with any more capacity of vehicles parking here.

“If these homes are built it will make the situation even worse if they themselves have visitors who also need to park around here.”

The city council’s planning committee approved the plan unanimously on October 24.