ANGRY Pebworth residents have hit out at planning chiefs who rejected plans which would have seen ‘much-needed’ social housing built in the village.
Last month councillors on Wychavon District Council’s planning committee voted to refuse permission for Rooftop Housing to build 12 social and affordable houses on land off Chapel Road.
The decision provoked an angry response from a number of villagers who are now concerned they will be ‘forced’ out of the village because there won’t be enough social housing as families grow.
One resident, Jodi Cotton said: “We currently live in one of only two one bedroom properties in the village.
“I was born into a family that has been in the village for more than 60 years.
“When we have children and require a two bedroom property I have a need to stay in the village.
“My dad is disabled after suffering a stroke whilst serving in Pebworth fire service. Over time and as he gets older he is going to need support from me and my brother as well as my mum.
“If our circumstances change and we need a two bedroom we’d have no choice but to leave the village at the moment because of the housing situation taking his support network away from him.
“My parents will also be looking for a bungalow in time due to his disability, but as it stands at the moment they’ll have no choice but to leave the village.”
Planning chiefs rejected the application from Rooftop Housing on the grounds it would be an over development of the site and because there was no proven or unmet local need for the proposed affordable housing in Pebworth.
Speaking at last month’s meeting, Coun Alastair Adams, district councillor for Pebworth, urged planning chiefs to reject the application as he claimed an already approved housing application would provide the social housing the village needs.
“The fact is there is already planning approval for 380 houses in Pebworth, of which 35 per cent will be social housing.
“There is no need for this exception site as there is no local unmet need. And that is the main planning reason to reject this application,” he added.
