PLANS for more than 50 new homes in a village near Malvern have been welcomed by the local football club. 

Developers want to build 52 new homes off the A4103 in Leigh Sinton, opposite Leigh and Bransford Primary School.

The plans include a shared space for local groups and sports teams, with Simon Secretan, chairman of Leigh and Bransford Badgers, welcoming the news.

He said: "Land opposite Leigh and Bransford Primary School has been identified as a suitable site for a community sports facility within Leigh Sinton that could be used by all local sports teams, the village Primary school, and most importantly the wider local community.

"Leigh and Bransford Badgers Football Club (LBBFC) is very supportive of these plans, which will provide 5.75 hectares (14.2 acres) of land for community sport; and high quality open space.

"We are already working very closely with the school and local residents in order to create a green, sustainable, community facility with all options on the table including potential for community meeting rooms, multi use games area and maybe even a cycle track.

Malvern Gazette:

"This is a project of many partners, it is not just about The Badgers, but about us all working together to deliver the best possible facility for all.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to create a legacy community recreational facility for use by the whole of Leigh Sinton and its wider parish."

Mr Secretan added the club has an "urgent need" to centralise its work.

It currently operates 24 teams across all age groups from under-5s to under-18s.

These train and play in different locations with no clubhouse facility.

With its membership heavily drawn from the local primary and secondary schools, as well as the village of Leigh Sinton itself, the hope is that the housing plans will give the club a permanent home of some kind.

Mr Secretan added: "We have been holding talks with the Applicant since 2016, it is the best option to provide community facilities for the village and we look forward to working with all groups and stakeholders who wish to be part of this exciting project."