Housing plan 'could revive dying village'

The site of the planned estate was used for several years for dumping rubbish, a council official said

A new housing estate of up to 100 homes would help breathe new life into a village, a councillor said.

Outline planning permission was given by Wychavon District Council for the houses to be built at Wayside Caravan Park in Cleeve Prior, near Evesham, Worcestershire.

The site in Evesham Road was historically home to a number of gypsy and traveller families.

The application was approved by the council’s planning committee.

Councillor Hannah Robson told the group the land needed improving "as it is an environmental health hazard the way that it is".

"The option to develop it for housing would allow it to be cleaned up and provide much-needed housing in the right place," she added.

The development would also "help rejuvenate a dying village" by bringing in people of all ages, Ms Robson said.

Planning officer Gavin Greenhow told councillors the site was “widely accepted to be in very poor condition” and added it was "used for dumping [rubbish] for a number of years".

The new homes could "help rejuvenate a dying village", a councillor said

Councillor Mary Smith, of Cleeve Prior Parish Council, said it would breathe new life into the village.

“If you approve this application, you will be helping Cleeve Prior to move in the right direction," she told the committee.

The headteacher at Cleeve Prior CE Primary, Sarah Laughlin, said she hoped the homes would be built so new children could be found for the under-subscribed school.

They have 21 pupils but a capacity of 90.

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