A COUPLE believe ‘justice has been done’ after their application to build a bungalow near Leigh Sinton was approved for a second time.
Kevin and Alison Oliver, of Coles Green, were initially given the green light to construct the eco-home by Malvern Hills District Council’s Northern Area Committee in February but officers brought plans back due to fears it was isolated and would set a ‘dangerous precedent’.
And at a Planning Committee meeting last Tuesday (April 7) members once again went against the recommendation, and approved the proposals.
Anthony Warburton, Independent candidate for the area, said: “Councils are being driven into applying an urban approach to the countryside and that is fundamentally incorrect and makes no sense.
“This represents just the sort of low volume development that local residents and their parish council want to see.”
Committee member Dean Clarke added: “Councillors are here not just to approve what the officers say, but to see if they are right and everything is acceptable on balance.
“The village hall for Leigh and Bransford is actually nearer to this property than Leigh Sinton so does that mean the sustainability of Leigh Sinton is in doubt?
“Having visited the site I think it would make an excellent area for one property.”
The environmentally-friendly property, which will be built on The Dell brownfield site, is set to feature ground source heating, rainwater harvesting and solar panels.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Oliver, a self-employed builder who will construct the property himself, said the decision at Malvern Hills Council House was met with cheers of ‘justice has been done’.
“We owe a huge thank you to local residents for all their support, our parish council at Leigh and Bransford in particular Stephen Seymour and Sarah Rouse, and Tony Warburton,” he added.
