Plan to build nine homes on land off Grit Lane, Malvern

Plans for six homes that would be sold on the open market, plus space for three self-builds, have been submitted to the district council.

The proposal is for land north of Grit Lane in Malvern, with access from the B4503 Leigh Sinton Road.

According to the plans, the site is currently used for farming but neighbours a number of existing homes including those off Leigh Sinton Road and some along the southern side of Grit Lane.

The planning site in red, with Leigh Sinton Lane to the left and Grit Lane below (Image: Glazzard Architects)

The plans say the land sits outside the Malvern settlement boundary as defined in the South Worcestershire Development Plan, which informs planning decisions in the area.

“Nonetheless, the site is not within a conservation area or subject to any statutory landscape designation,” the application says.

“The application is advanced on the basis that it is for a mix of open market and self-build development on a site that is closely related to the main urban area and thereby well positioned to take advantage of sustainable transport modes into the town, on foot and bicycle or via public transport.”

Worcestershire Highways has recommended the proposal be approved.

A consultation response submitted to planners said: “The site is currently not served by footway infrastructure in either direction, and has no street lighting, therefore not conducive to pedestrian and cycling movements.”

The document says there are only limited bus services in the area and the nearest schools are all outside of recommended walking distances.

Worcestershire County Council’s Public Rights of Way Team has also recommended the application be refused.

It says the plans include the realignment and resurfacing of an access track that would impact two public rights of way, adding: “No detail is provided regarding the surfacing proposal nor the realignment.

“Thus, I am forced to submit an objection on the grounds that I cannot assess the impact on public access and ongoing maintenance liability.”