UP to nine new homes could be built in Hanley Castle.

Developers want to build six ‘open market’ homes and have space for three self-builds on land west of the B4211, on the southern edge of the village.

An application for ‘permission in principle’ has been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council.

A planning statement submitted as part of the application admits the site is in open countryside but says it is “immediately adjacent” to the Hanley Castle settlement boundary.

It also says the site is about a kilometre from the River Severn and just under four kilometres from the boundary of the Malvern Hills Area of Natural Beauty.

But it adds: “There is nothing ‘special’ or ‘out of the ordinary’ about the locale. The proposal does not raise any significant landscape or visual impact issues given its modest scale and nature.”

A number of neighbours have already objected to the plans, citing concerns over the impact the development would have on local roads, wildlife and house prices.

One said: “The speed that vehicles pass through the village is a real problem, especially at this point where the houses are planned. Only last week there was another collision on the Hanley Road.

“Pulling out of Bowling Green at school pick up and drop off times is nothing short of dangerous.”

Another said: “I would like to object to this planning application based on the damage it will cause to a natural habitat and residing wildlife.

“The outlook from nearby properties will dramatically change and the landscape will be significantly altered, affecting all those who enjoy the area.”

One resident said: “This development would have a huge detrimental impact on the houses in Bowling Green Lane.

“At present residents look directly out over the field with properties at the back of their gardens.

“The outlook from the houses is a huge selling point and as such there would be devaluation of the property value if this development goes ahead.”