A DEVELOPER hoping to build a housing estate in Malvern has refused to say what its next step will be after it was denied permission to create an access road to the site.

The Rose Farm Partnership had applied to the Malvern Hills Trust (formerly the Conservators) for permission to create an access road, called an easement, across common land bordering Guarlford Road – but the application was rejected at a meeting last Tuesday.

The easement was intended to provide access to a proposed new estate off Guarlford Road, between Hall Green and Chance Lane.

Many residents objected to the access road plans due to the loss of green space, and because they feared it would set a precedent for further development along Guarlford Road, extending the town into the surrounding countryside.

And they said the proposed development would threaten the existence of Jackpits Lane, an ancient trackway which forms part of the site and is the remains of a medieval green road from the Severn at the Rhydd to the Priory in Malvern.

This week, the Rose Farm Partnership declined an offer to comment in the Malvern Gazette about how it would proceed now.

Had the partnership gained permission to create the easement, it would still have had to apply for planning permission from Malvern Hills District Council to allow its development to be built.

Michael Huskinson, leader of the residents group, said this week: “Local residents very much welcome the decision of Malvern Hills Trust board members at their meeting last Tuesday night to refuse to grant the easement requested.

“Their decision, by a large majority, reflects what Malvern expects of them and they are to be commended.”

Duncan Bridges, chief executive of Malvern Hills Trust, said: “It was a long and very detailed meeting and there great deal of information for the board of trustees to absorb and consider before coming to their final decision.”

11 members of the trust board voted to reject the easement plan at the meeting last week, with one abstention.

Members of the public were vocal throughout, challenging points raised by the trust, and loud cheers were heard as the vote was confirmed.

Speaking at the meeting, Katharine Harris, one of the members of the residents’ group opposing the easement, said: “I, in common with many others, have lived here for over 25 years. The main reason many of us chose to live here was the wide open spaces protected by the trust.

“This is a case of changing the goal-posts and granting this easement will be contrary to your principles.”