TOWNSFOLK have raised concerns about a proposal to build 70 houses near a marina.

Tingdene Marinas has applied to build the homes to the north east of Upton Marina.

The company was previously refused planning permission for the project by Malvern Hills District Council in 2013.

This decision was overturned on appeal and Tingdene now wants to extend planning consent for another three years.

Permission for the development expires on Tuesday, June 6, three years after the date of the appeal decision.

Brenda Hughes, of Holly Green, Upton, wrote: “The infrastructure in Upton itself can hardly take any more traffic.

“During the times of festivals or shows at the Three Counties Grounds, the volume of traffic is immense and to pull out onto the A4101 is a matter of patience.

“One has to sit and wait with the traffic coming off the A38. With traffic coming onto the A4104 from the Marina this will compound the problem yet again.”

A couple of residents, also from Holly Green, warned that the project could cause access, safety, and transport issues.

“Since the original application the bus services have been much reduced and there is no direct service now to Malvern,” they wrote.

“It means there will be a greater reliance on car journeys.”

The pair added that young families will travel to Worcester, Malvern and Tewkesbury for shopping.

“Before any approval is given there should be further investigation into how the raising of the A4104 will affect the main access during times of flood,” they added.

“Refuse the application as it has been currently presented, especially as the raising of the A4101 does not appear to have been taken into account.”

Tingdene Marinas declined to comment.