PERSHORE’S MP Harriett Baldwin has repeated her support for campaigners who are battling to protect Tiddesley Wood from the threat of house-building.
The MP has written to Wychavon District Council leader Chris Day re-iterating her backing for local people who are looking to protect the green buffer zone protecting the ancient woodlands.
A new proposal to build houses on land at Orchard Farm, near Pershore, has been submitted after a similar proposal was blocked from being part of the revised South Worcestershire Development Plan.
Mrs Baldwin said: “Over recent years, I have spoken up for the protection of green spaces protecting the land around Tiddesley Wood and recently I met with campaigners who are strongly resistant to this latest housing development proposal.
“Like many local people, I was troubled to see plans to develop houses on the edge of Tiddesley Wood a couple of years ago, and I was pleased to hear that the local district council did not allow this site to go forward in the new version of the South Worcestershire Development Plan.
“Now local people are again mobilising to speak up against this latest housing development proposals and I plan to ensure their concerns are heard.”
The Protect Tiddesley Wood Group is urging local residents to have their say on a recent planning application submitted by Formula Land Ltd to Wychavon District Council to demolish existing farm buildings and build 300 new homes right next to the ancient Tiddesley Wood.
The site of Orchard Farm, Pershore, WR10 3BX has been controversial since it was initially investigated by the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review back in 2019.
After many public protests and online consultations & petitions, the site was removed in September 2022 after Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Natural England ruled that a minimum of half a mile buffer zone needs to be retained between the SSSi and any housing development.
The plan currently submitted was presented at a public exhibition in June 2023 where over 200 people took part in a protest before registering their objections.
The vehicular access proposed would impact the A4104 between the town and Tiddesley Wood which is in Flood Zone One and well known locally for its poor visibility and road traffic accidents.
Residents have until Thursday (November 30) to comment on the proposal which can be done either on the planning application online or by writing to the Planning Department at the Civic Centre, Pershore.
Alternatively an email can be submitted to [email protected] quoting the Planning Reference W/23/02112/OUT
