Plans for homes near beauty spot approved

Up to 200 homes would be built near the Malvern Hills under the plans

Initial plans for a new housing estate in Worcestershire have been approved.

Hallam Land Management proposed building up to 200 homes on land at Cales Farm, on the outskirts of Malvern, with access to the site off Sayers Avenue.

The site is near the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Outline planning permission was recommended for approval by Malvern Hills District Council officers and was backed by the councillors on Wednesday.

Hallam specialise in getting planning permission for development sites before selling the land to builders who will construct the homes.

Papers submitted to the council said the plan was for a "connected and high quality residential development that is sensitive to its landscape setting close to the Malvern Hills AONB".

Of the 200 homes, two-fifths would be affordable housing.

Half the site, seven hectares (17 acres) of the total, was earmarked for "green infrastructure" to include children's play areas, walking and cycling routes and wildlife corridors.

The scheme attracted dozens of objections with some complaining that it would "take away the natural beauty of the area" as well as voicing concerns about potential flooding.

Others questioned whether local GP surgeries and dental practices could cope with the extra people.

Councillors voted by nine to three in favour of the plans with one abstention.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.