RESIDENTS in Worcester are being urged to have their say on sites earmarked for additional housing in the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).
A six-week consultation got underway on Monday (October 6) after the proposals were given the green light by Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council and Malvern Hills District Council last week.
The new SWDP, which will still be subject to a formal examination by a Government-appointed inspector, has identified areas to accommodate 28,370 extra properties – 6,200 more than the original document.
The consultation will only be concerned with alterations to the plan, such as the proposed sites and not the SWDP as a whole.
Of those 28,370, 9,830 are in the Worcester boundaries, while 9.950 are in the Wychavon district, and the remaining 8,590 are in the Malvern Hills area.
Most of the proposed extra sites needed are on the edges of the urban area of Worcester or in the main towns of Droitwich, Evesham, Malvern, Pershore, Tenbury Wells and Upton-upon-Severn.
Coun Judy Pearce, who chairs the SWDP Joint Advisory Panel, said: “I am very pleased all three councils have given their backing to this next important step in the work to complete the SWDP.
“The housing numbers now being proposed are higher than we had hoped, but it is important that we comply with the Inspector’s directions if we are going to get the plan approved – and there is no doubt that it is better to have a plan, as it gives us greater control over where development takes place.
“The plan will guide housing and economic development in south Worcestershire until 2030, so it is vital that residents take part in this consultation, to have their say on the proposed sites for these additional homes.”
Those wanting to view the plan and have their say can log onto www.swdevelopmentplan.org and forms will also be available at public buildings across south Worcestershire.
