Approval tipped for more than 300 homes

Plans for the development of more than 300 homes in Worcestershire have been recommended for approval ahead of a planning committee meeting next week.Barratt Homes West Midlands has brought forward proposals to construct 329 properties, 82 of which would be affordable, on land to the west of Pearl Lane in Stourport-on-Severn.Extending to approximately 37.2 acres, the application site is predominantly agricultural land.The project would provide ten one-bed, 87 two-bed, 122 three-bed and 111 four-bed units, mostly comprised of two-storey detached, semi-detached and terrace properties with a small number of two-and-half-storey structures and a three-storey block of apartments.About 14.6 acres of land would be allocated as green and blue infrastructure.Plans will be reviewed by Wyre Forest District Council’s planning committee on 21 June.A report for the committee said: “The loss of the open agricultural fields to housing development and the tall buildings located in the north east corner of the site would result in moderate harm to landscape character, however; the degree of harm would be reduced in the long-term when the new tree planting matures.”It has also been accepted by consultees that suitable mitigation can be provided to reduce air pollution arising in this local area and that measurable biodiversity net gains can be achieved.”The proposals, therefore, represent sustainable development and would accord with the Wyre Forest District Local Plan as a whole.”