MAJOR concerns have been raised by residents and councillors regarding the proposed development of dozens more homes on an existing housing estate in Copcut.
Plans submitted to Wychavon for the development of 40 extra houses on the existing 740 home Copcut Rise estate have raised eyebrows.
Developer, William Davis, is responsible for the application as well as the majority of the existing estate which was greenlit for development in 2013 before an extension was granted in 2015.
Following the application, Wychavon district councillor Dan Birch, for North Claines and Salwarpe, has called out the developer for not fulfilling obligations and ‘riding roughshod’ over local residents throughout the development of the existing estate.
The Wychavon councillor says he understands the developmental viability of the new proposed site – a small infill plot surrounded by the existing development.
However, he says the developer has failed to ‘finish the roads, open spaces, landscaping and footpaths’ in other areas of the existing estate and pointed out ‘continued’ drainage issues and ‘chaos’ at traffic lights nearing the site on the A38.
A petition has been launched calling on Worcestershire County Council highways to prioritise improvements to the Copcut junction to facilitate better traffic flow. It has over 500 signatures.
In their application, William Davis said the impact of the development on existing road networks would be ‘imperceptible’.
Coun Birch said: “This is not a developer who has shown any respect to Copcut Rise so far and what we need is reassurance that this time it will be different.
“We also want to see infrastructure, we want to see improved playgrounds and somewhere for kids to kick a ball.
“We just want William Davis to give something back to the community they have taken from for the past decade.”
He has since called on the support of Droitwich and Evesham MP, Nigel Huddleston. The politician has agreed to co-sign a letter asking Highways to carry out a full assessment of the Copcut lights.
The MP will also raise the issue of local authorities having a lack of control over developers who are able to submit subsequent applications despite not having met obligations on existing developments with relevant ministers.
Lastly, the MP plans to attend a meeting with Wychavon planning chiefs to discuss options for what Coun Birch has described as ‘stopping the continued disregard of residents by William Davis’.
A meeting for local residents to discuss their concerns before they can be fed to William Davis is also in the pipeline. The meeting will be in the Elgar Room of Sacred Heart Church on June 12 (5pm to 7pm).
The application is also open for public consultation until June 13.
David Dodge, operations director for William Davis Homes, said: “We remain fully committed to completing the planned works necessary for the handover of roads, footpaths, and open spaces within the development.
“Throughout this process, we have maintained regular communication with councillor Birch and are confident he has been kept fully informed of our progress.”
The developer also said it had had a ‘very constructive’ meeting with Wychavon’s parks officers where a programme of works to enhance several footpaths and planted areas was agreed.
William Davis has also urged the developer of the recently completed Sainsbury and Costa scheme, at the site, to fulfill its responsibility by completing outstanding landscaping works.
Mr Dodge added: “Completing work at Copcut Rise remains a priority for us and we will maintain open communication with the local authority and relevant councillors throughout while this is achieved.”
Visit https://plan.wychavon.gov.uk/Planning/Display/W/25/00991/FUL for more information.
