A LEADING councillor has called on big housebuilding companies to abide by conditions imposed by planning authorities.

Cllr Sarah Rouse, who leads the Democratic Group on Malvern Hills District Council, has spoken out after Cala Homes (Midlands) Ltd applied to alter conditions on its planning permission to build 51 homes at Kiln Lane, Leigh Sinton.

The company wants the condition, which says it must complete a footpath when 25 per cent of the home are occupied, changed to read 80 per cent.

Cllr Rouse said: "One of the major problems that comes with national companies is their seeming disregard for planning conditions.

"Cala Homes moved people into new homes before complying with conditions that were to be done before anyone occupied any houses.

"Unfortunately the penalties set out nationally for non-compliance are small fines and so national house builders seem not to care.

"The issues in Kiln Lane have led to extra work for myself and the parish council, but also the planning and enforcement teams as we all try to get everything done as it should be.

"The highways were not marked correctly but the most crucial omission was they did not construct the sustainable drainage pond prior to occupation.

"Earlier, a tree with a preservation order was pruned without consent. The application now to change when they build the footpath is out of necessity as they have chosen to construct the site in such a way that it would be built through the middle of the construction zone, so could not be used.

"These problems are being played out across our district. The enforcement team does an excellent job. But it really is important that residents and parish councils are observant and report concerns immediately.

"It is a very disappointing situation that we cannot simply assume that the large housebuilders will comply with conditions, but this is the reality until such a time as the penalties are increased at national level.

"Developers have a huge role to play in enhancing the environment for future generations and they must be made to comply with agreed conditions."

A Cala spokesman said: “We have applied for an amendment to one of the planning conditions, relating to the planned cycle path on site. The condition states that the path must be complete and ready for the public to use before the first resident moves in.

"However, as we are planning a phased construction of the homes, part of the path will run through an active construction site. To avoid a potential health and safety risk to the public, we are proposing that the cycle path is opened at a later stage. We’re confident the local authority will see that this amendment is in the interest of the public.”