Hundreds of homes are approved for construction near ancient woodland in Pershore, despite opposition from wildlife campaigners. The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust expresses concerns about the potential harm to the ecologically valuable area.
Hundreds of homes are set to be built near ancient woodland in Pershore, sparking outrage among wildlife campaigners . The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT) has long fought against this scheme, but a planning inspector who reviewed the case after an appeal ruled in favor of the development. This decision paves the way for 300 new homes on Orchard Farm near Tiddesley Wood.
David Roach, head of planning at Hollybrook, the parent firm of Formula Land, which initiated the planning appeal, stated that measures are in place to protect the woodland. Formula Land lodged the appeal against Wychavon District Council after the authority failed to make a decision on the homes within the stipulated timeframe. Steve Bloomfield, the senior conservation officer at WWT, urged for the implementation and enforcement of mitigation measures by the council. He emphasized the importance of proper execution and council oversight to minimize the potential harm. He added, 'And the second thing is we absolutely must not see this as just a carte blanche for sites of this type next to other really high-value assets.' The WWT highlights the ecological significance of the woodland, noting that coppiced areas bloom with wildflowers in spring, including bluebells, wood anemones, violets, and cowslips. The area also serves as a habitat for butterflies, insects, and warblers. The inspector's ruling acknowledged that development typically detrimental to an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) should be prohibited. However, the ruling also stated that Natural England has determined that the development's impact is, in principle, mitigable. It further mentioned that while WWT opposed the development, the mitigation strategy incorporated measures acceptable to them, and they considered it the most effective approach to minimize harm. Councillor Nicolas Wright, chairman of Wychavon District Council's Planning Committee, expressed disappointment with the decision, stating that the authority had 'strongly defended the district' against the proposals. He acknowledged that the inspector recognized the development's significant harm but concluded that the potential benefits, particularly the delivery of up to 300 much-needed dwellings, outweighed these negative effects. Mr. Roach stated that Formula Land collaborated with the trust to agree on a funding package that would provide the trust with a substantial annual payment for a minimum of 125 years. He explained that this funding would support ongoing management and maintenance efforts within the woodland and increase the presence of wardens on a daily basis. He added that the inspector, in granting permission, recognized the development's contribution to providing much-needed housing, including 120 new affordable homes
Housing Development Ancient Woodland Wildlife Campaigners Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Mitigation Measures
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