Wychavon District Council has greenlit plans to construct 62 affordable homes on land south of Pershore Road in Evesham, despite ongoing worries about the development’s impact on local traffic congestion.
Members of the local planning committee, who visited the site before the December 11 meeting, expressed unease about persistent congestion. Ward Councillor John Clatworthy highlighted the daily traffic challenges residents face, emphasizing that the proposed access via Hamilton Road could be particularly restrictive, especially during construction phases.
“The people of Evesham have to contend with significant congestion day in, day out,” Clatworthy said. He also criticized Worcestershire County Council’s highways team for withdrawing their previous objections and failing to attend meetings to address these concerns.
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Cllr Emma Kearsey acknowledged the traffic worries but noted that the planning committee was bound by the expert assessment, as the highways team raised no objections to the plans.
“This leaves us in a difficult position—we rely heavily on highways’ expertise, and if they say ‘no objection,’ it limits our ability to reject applications,” Kearsey explained.
The site had previously been the focus of a rejected proposal in 2014, which planned for up to 126 homes. Local resident Emma Burrows voiced opposition to the new development, arguing that it still does not sufficiently meet local housing needs. She pointed out that over 350 affordable homes have already been approved across Wychavon for 2025, with several more large developments on the horizon.
Developer Living Space Housing defended the project, stating there is a clear affordable housing demand. The company emphasized that the inclusion of one-bedroom bungalows will cater to both affordable and elderly housing requirements.
Environmental considerations were also raised, as a potential badgers’ set may be present on the site. Planning officers assured that any development would require a council-approved mitigation plan before construction begins.
As part of the planning permission, the developer must contribute £10,000 toward intelligent traffic lights to ease congestion on nearby roads and £62,000 for active travel improvements in the area.
Worcestershire County Council has declined to comment on the matter.