Observer reporter Joshua Godfrey is at Wychavon District Council’s headquarters this afternoon as it is decision time for the controversial heart of Evesham homes bid.
Within the next few hours councillors on the Planning Committee will make a decision on whether or not to approve Hallam Land Management’s controversial plans to build 220 homes, a care home and business land on land of Boat Lane.
This paper has extensively covered this story from the very start and we will bring you news on the decision as soon as it happens.
To remind yourself of all the twists and turns in this long-running saga click on the links below:
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Major homes plan for centre of Evesham is back on the table
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Town councillors unanimously reject 220 homes plan for heart of Evesham
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Decision on plan for 220 homes in heart of Evesham pushed back again
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Dismay as Boat Lane homes bid is delayed again
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These are the reasons why planning officers recommended approval of Boat Lane homes bid
15:34
That’s it from our life blog this afternoon. A full report on today’s decision will be on our website later this afternoon.
15:30
Councillors have voted by 11 votes to 4 to defer the application on the grounds of concern over the access point, the care home and employment land. The council will now enter into negiotions with Hallam in a bid to get them to revise their proposals.
14:59
Coun Keith Wright has just seconded Coun Sandalls’ proposal to refuse permission.
14:55
Tension is running high in the council chamber with residents heckling planning officers. One resident shouted that the planning officer was spreading ‘misleading information.’
14:52
Coun Tony Rowley, the chairman of the committee, has recommended deferment and Coun Wilkinson has seconded his proposal.
14:35
Coun Jo Sandalls received a round of applause after she recommended a proposal to refuse planning permission.
14:31
Coun Martin King questioned Hallam’s agent as to why their application includes plans for a care home and business land when the SWDP says the Boat Lane site is allocated for housing only.
14:27
Evesham resident David Ashley called on planners to refuse the application on the grounds highways chiefs recognise Abbey Road is already ‘over capacity.’
14:20
There were rounds of applause for Coun Richard Jones after he said the development was ‘unsympathetic’ to the town’s heritage and called on planners to refuse permission.
14:10
Planning officer Emma Worley has begun to discuss the planning application with committee members.
14:00
A large contingent from Evesham, made up of councillors and residents, are in the council chamber to listen to councillors debate the Hallam proposals.
The Mayor of Evesham Coun Richard Jones will be speaking on behalf of the Town Council to call on planners to refuse the application.
A number of residents will also be speaking in a last ditch plea again to get planners to refuse permission.
