MALVERN could be in for a £16million boost if an 800-home development on the edge of the town is given the green light.
The developers believe that is how much those living in homes on the £100million project at Newland would spend each year, adding the scheme also had the potential to create 2,000 new jobs.
These details were unveiled at a public consultation last Wednesday (May 20) which saw more than 180 people turn out to see Gleeson Strategic Land and Welbeck Strategic Land LLP’s plans.
But a number of residents raised concerns over the single entrance and exit into the site, which would include a multi-million pound revamp of the Worcester Road and Townsend Way roundabout.
The existing roundabout will be replaced by a new junction with three sets of traffic signals, a new pedestrian crossing over the A449 and two new toucan crossings.
But Ann Rogers, of Birchwood Drive, claimed it would only make a poor situation worse.
“This major development will have to have cars travelling in and out and they are all going to come out by this one roundabout,” she said.
“We are there sometimes already for about 20 minutes trying to get out, so what is it going to be like with all this new development?”
Brian Davies, who has lived in Malvern Link for 20 years, added: “It is impractical.
“There is insufficient space and amount of room for schools, hospitals, all the things that it needs it lacks.
“Malvern Wells is a nasty example of what can happen with these developments, there are parts of that now which still aren’t finished.
“If the council wants it, it will go through but it is a daft idea and there must be other land which could be put to use.”
The 52-hectare site, which is in the SWDP, would also include a primary school, a community hall, police post, play space and recreation area and both Gleeson and Welbeck said it was a ‘much-needed’ project.
A spokesman for the developers said: “One of the main areas of discussion focused on transport and we will be writing to consultees in the coming weeks with more information about the scheme and the package of transport investment proposed, including the multi-million pound redesign of the Townsend Way roundabout into a gyratory system.
“Our aim is to deliver an attractive development, in-keeping with the setting.
“This will provide much-needed new homes for local people, incorporating facilities such as healthcare provision, local shops, employment opportunities and services as well as transport improvements.”
An outline planning application is expected to be submitted by the summer with a potential start on site by summer 2017.
Visit www.sustainablemalvern.co.uk for more information.
