PLANS to build three new houses on the corner of a Malvern street have been met with criticism from residents.

Planners are due to consider a proposal by Lombard Group Development Ltd to put 3 new buildings on the corner of Victoria Park Road.

If approved, the plans would see three four-bed detached houses built consisting of a pair of three storey villa type properties facing south onto Victoria Park Road and a single two-storey dwelling facing west onto the same road.

Planning documents say: "The external design proposals seek to conserve and enhance the character of the Malvern Link Conservation by utilising design features present within local architecture.

"The overall effect of these design decisions creates properties with a distinctive architectural language which both enhance and are sympathetic to its environment.

"The development proposes to extend the fabric of the Conservation Area into this parcel of land, the vitality and variety of sensitively designed front drives, planting, and homes seamlessly connects the two ends of the site."

Despite these assurances, a number of objections have been submitted by neighbours and residents.

The Malvern Civic Society's submitted response questions whether the development meets the requirements for the ongoing South Worcestershire Development Plan, as well as its effect on the surrounding area.

Its response said: "This development looks rather tight, particularly with the pair of semi-detached properties squeezed into the available space.

"A design with a detached property replacing the pair of semi-detached properties (particularly if that allowed it to be of lower height) and requiring less parking space might well fit the area better (although obviously not supply so much residential accommodation).

"There are a number of concerns raised by neighbours and by the Conservation Officer that The Civic Society would support.

"As noted above, these buildings, particularly the semi-detached pair are squeezed into their plots which is not characteristic of the general conservation area, the building line is different, there is a large area of parking in front, and significant loss of Malvern stone wall.

"It is difficult to reconcile these issues with the need to conserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Malvern Link Conservation Area and therefore the proposals do not respect SWDP 6 and SWDP 24."

The Malvern Hills District Council conservation response said: "...there are numerous concerns regarding the development as proposed.

"Orientation, line of development, large parking areas to the front of the dwellings, openings and new detailing proposed to the existing Malvern stone wall and lack of details on the dwellings themselves.

"Overall, the development would not be considered to conserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Malvern Link Conservation Area and as such is not supportable from a conservation perspective."

To view the plans in full, go to https://plan.malvernhills.gov.uk/Planning/Display/21/00652/FUL