Access road plans for village 'still too narrow'

The latest plans are for an access road that would narrow to 4.8 metres at the site

Revised plans for the access road to a proposed 30-home development have been put forward.

But neighbours say the road would still be too narrow and are urging the council to reject the application.

Outline permission to add 30 more homes to the 110-home Sanctuary Housing estate in Drakes Broughton was allowed on appeal last year having previously been turned down by Wychavon District Council.

Developer Owl Partnerships has since submitted a "reserved matters" application, which must also gain approval before work can begin on the site.

Discussions with Worcestershire Highways revealed the proposed access via Pippin Walk would not be suitable for adoption into the highways network because it was too narrow at the site entrance.

The latest plans are for an access road that would narrow to 4.8m at the site entrance, as opposed to the previous design of 3.7m.

The road would then widen to 5.5m within the new estate.

Owl Partnerships said this would "result in a better design and increase the safety provisions relating to traffic management within the site".

Drakes Broughton and Wadborough Parish Council said: "Even a 4.8m width is still very narrow.

"As an example, a Mercedes GLC which is a car very typically found in rural areas is 1.94m wide so two of these side by side would leave a gap of less than a metre between them.

"This is obviously not sufficient and as dustbin lorries and emergency vehicles are much wider, this is obviously still not satisfactory."

Neighbour Emma Roberts said: "The proposed access route through our residential estate is wholly unsuitable for increased traffic, both during construction and once the development is complete."

She also raised safety concerns as the area is part of a "key walking route" to St Barnabas CE First and Middle School.

Brian Young said the access was "not suitable for increased traffic" and urged planners: "Please consider the impact on existing residents that have settled in the area."

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