I READ with interest S Nuttall’s letter “Homes in a field” of May 1.

She may be unaware of some of the history of this proposal.

The highways department had similar opinions to Mrs Nuttall’s and recommended refusal of the Charlock Road access saying it would be “harmful and detrimental to the interests of road safety” and “contrary to the Highway Authority's Local Transport Plan and the Malvern Hills District Local Plan Policy”.

For some unexplained reason, this document “disappeared” from the council’s website around the time the plans were being considered.

Fortunately, I had retained a copy but, by the time it was reinstated, decisions were being made.

Concerned local residents had obtained the support of Councillor Melanie Baker but were dismayed that this “support” turned into her not only voting in favour of the development but actually proposing it herself!

When challenged on this, she admitted that she had always been in favour of the development but did not explain the apparent contradiction.

Her explanation for proposing the Charlock Road access was that sale of the “ransom strip” belonging to Malvern Hills District Council could, she intended, be used to block the extension of Charlock to access the site.

Councillor Baker subsequently became chairman of planning and housing, which should have strengthened her position.

Unfortunately, she does not seem to have kept residents informed of progress.

David Whitaker

Malvern