Proposed plans for Rushwick ‘an embarrassment’, says councillor

Rushwick, near Worcester, is designated as a strategic growth area under the current South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).

As part of this plan, a park-and-ride could be built with car parking to accommodate up to 500 vehicles for commuters, 1,000 new homes and a new school.

Malvern Hills independent councillor Daniel Walton, whose ward includes Rushwick, said:“Much of the plan makes sense but the Rushwick proposal is an embarrassment.

“Where we build is down to us and clearly this is a mistake.

“The house numbers are something we’re tied into delivering due to central Government and I believe we should be developing new affordable housing and starter homes for young people, so I have no problem with house building as long as it’s the right kind .

“So where has been proposed to build another 1,000? -it’s Rushwick yet again - in an area that’s already too congested.

“A railway hub - the Worcestershire Parkway - which, rather than alleviating traffic, will bring more to the area.

“I can’t see any plans for the Bransford Road, to extend the road network to accommodate the increased number of cars.

“If this proposal is pushed through without my concerns and the genuine concerns of residents being listened to everyone in the district west of Rushwick will be joining a very long queue of traffic every morning.”

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Fred Davies, policy manager for Wychavon District Council said: “I appreciate the scale of this development and it could appear alarming for some.

“Part of the plan would be build another primary school, likely near to the train station as the current primary school would not have capacity for the increased population growth of families with children.”

Plans are getting reviewed to ensure future planning needs will be met.