CONTROVERSIAL plans for more than 100 homes which could cause ‘deaths’ and ‘absolute chaos’ in Malvern Link have been put on hold.
A bid to build 110 houses off Lower Howsell Road came before Malvern Hills District Council’s Southern Area Development Management Committee on Wednesday (June 17).
However, councillors opted to defer Halkin Development Ltd’s application due to fears over the proposed entrance and backed calls for an independant study to be carried out into its safety.
Plans originally looked like being refused with highways chiefs saying the Spring Lane junction near the site was ‘under strain’.
But officers did a U-turn on their decision and instead pledged to pump £200,000 into infrastructure and improvement if it was given the green light.
Ron Harris, speaking on behalf of Malvern Link Forum, which is against the plans, said: “This exit was deemed dangerous by MHDC and highways in 1983 when Bovis housing applied to develop the field.
“What has changed since then apart from the road has increased traffic and pedestrians?
“If there is an increase in accidents, incidents or indeed death due to the dangerous exit from the proposed site you (MHDC) will be held corporately and personally responsible to ensure the decision you make will be the right one for the people of Malvern Link.
“In this case the developers are the vipers trying to make a quick buck and they will then flee and leave us with the wrath of hell we will not be able to escape from.”
Coun Robert Kerby, councillor for the area, added: “Although this is under the threshold of 200 houses, I would suggest two entrances into that development are looked at.
“Imagine people going along to school and work from one entrance, it would be absolute chaos. It is just not going to work.
“I have no problems with the way the development is as it is well laid out.
“We know we need housing and this is a good use of land, however it is not the brightest with one entrance.”
The development would include 40 per cent affordable housing while the same portion of the 5.2 hectare site would be green infrastructure.
Coun Bronwen Behan, councillor for Longdon, said: “I think it is an excellent proposal for this land. There is a need for housing and the question is whether this is the right place for these houses to go.
“I think it is going to be very difficult to resist this.”
