Residents oppose wedding venue plans

Neighbours have voiced concerns over the plans for Shelsley Grange, near Great Witley

Plans to turn a country house into a wedding venue have sparked anger among residents.

The owners of Shelsley Grange, near Great Witley in Worcestershire, want to put up a large marquee to hold weddings in the grounds of the Grade II-listed house.

But neighbours have said the surrounding lanes are not suitable for such levels of traffic, as well as voicing concerns about noise, litter, and the impact on wildlife.

The house’s owners have been approached for comment via their agent HPD Architecture.

Dozens of objections have been made online since plans for the marquee were submitted to Malvern Hills District Council last month.

Residents also gathered outside Shelsley Grange earlier this week to oppose the scheme, with some people holding posters that read ‘Say no to the Grange plan’.

The owners of the Grade II-listed house want to put up a large marquee to hold weddings in the grounds

Andy Griffee said the increased traffic could pose “a real hazard to local drivers, dog walkers, horse riders, pedestrians and cyclists”.

He added: “The house sits midway along a very narrow lane, which does not have a restricted speed limit or lighting.”

Plans suggest that parking for around 75 vehicles would be needed at Shelsley Grange for weddings, but residents say the lane is so narrow that bin lorries do not come down it.

Instead, a small flat-bed vehicle collects a limited number of bin bags from each house.

Rebecca Perry said she had been living in the area for 44 years and she thought the wedding venue proposal was “appalling”.

She said the plans “would add traffic and noise to this peaceful place”, and any use of fireworks by wedding parties would “cause terror among horses out in the field”.

Residents have also voiced concerns that local wildlife - including red kites, bats, and buzzards - would be impacted by the development.

The consultation period for the planning application ends on 22 August.

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