CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 46 homes in Malvern Wells have been rejected by councillors, prompting rapturous applause and cheers from members of the public.

Angry residents have claimed the development would “violate” their area’s natural beauty while one local councillor stated approving the plans would be “criminal”.

These strong feelings however were mirrored by members of Malvern Hills District Council's southern area development management committee, who unanimously turned down the application on Wednesday (April 22).

The Cala Homes bid to build on former playing fields off Hanley Road is now on hold, but the developer may choose to appeal the decision – meaning a “nervous” future awaits villagers.

John McWhirter, who spoke during the meeting on behalf of the local community, said: “I have been a proud resident of Malvern Wells for more than 35 years.

“I object very strongly to this planning application since it blatantly violates the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - and my concern is representative of the local community, as witnessed by the vast array of objections on the planning website.

“Future generations will also need beautiful open spaces, which is why our relatively small AONB is so precious and must be protected.

“We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place and you, as members of this committee, have a moral obligation to preserve our AONB for the well-being of future generations. We urge you to reject this proposal without reservation.”

Councillor Chris O’Donnell echoed these sentiments and claimed the application is contrary to national planning law.

She said: “In my opinion it would be criminal for us to allow this major development in our AONB.

“The estate would be a blot on the landscape and ruin views from the Malvern Hills.

“National planning law states major developments should be refused in areas like this unless there are exceptional circumstances – no such exceptional circumstances have been demonstrated.”

A negative impact on biodiversity, traffic and road problems and an increased strain on local primary schools were other issues outlined during the meeting.

The redaction of a report written by a landscape officer in opposition the development, which was originally posted in full on the council’s planning website, also proved a hot topic of discussion.

Councillor Melanie Baker added the developer had “not demonstrated this proposal is in the public interest” while Councillor Jill Campbell labelled the estate as “boring looking housing”.

But Councillor John Raine expressed a more concerned note, stating he opposed the bid but was “still very nervous” about the future prospects at appeal.

Meanwhile Ruben Bellamy, a spokesman for Cala Homes, defended the proposals during the meeting as “a very attractive and unique development”.

The company had proposed 46 dwellings on the land – an increase of 11 on the 35 units allocated for the site in the emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan - including 18 affordable houses, a new road access and an area of open space.