PLANNING chiefs have fought back against the developer of the former Cottage Hospital site after they lodged an appeal with the planning inspector against the council.
Back in December, councillors on Wychavon District Council’s Planning Committee deferred a decision on Churchill Retirement Living’s application to build 23 apartments for the elderly on the Cottage Hospital site.
At the time, concerns were raised by local residents about the number of car parking spaces provided and the impact on traffic on Defford Road.
Churchill then lodged an appeal against the planning chief’s decision and now the planning inspector will decide whether or not the sheltered accommodation block will be built.
Wychavon planners have now raised objections to the appeal with the inspector after a planning committee last Thursday (February 4), citing Churchill’s failure to agree on financial contributions towards public open space, cycling, recycling and waste facilities.
Speaking at the meeting, Coun Charles Tucker, who represents Pershore on Wychavon District Council, said: “If we’re objecting to the appeal we’re effectively saying we would have refused this application, which is exactly what I would support and suggest the committee should do.
“We deferred this application in December for very good reasons; the impact on the locality, the inadequate parking and the over development of the site.
“The developer has pre-empted the appeal. I think the words blackmail and bullying come to mind.”
