VILLAGERS feared plans to build nearly 100 homes would "completely destroy" a Worcestershire village - but plans were still granted.
A controversial planning application, which would see 91 homes built around Doverdale Park in Hampton Lovett, Droitwich, was given the green light by councillors on Thursday (February 27) at a Wychvaon Planning Meeting.
This is the third time Beechcroft Land Ltd had submitted an application for the land after two were previously thrown out by planning inspectors.
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Councillor Paul Speechley, from Hampton Lovett Parish Council, said: "I can assure you the council fully disapproves of the development.
"This is not only for the many reasons stated by the objections but for the complete destruction of Hampton Lovett and its residents by this size and type of development.
"It will make us a part of the urban sprawl of Droitwich."
PLANS: Bird's eye view of the site. (Image: Wychavon District Council) The plans made small changes from the previous applications submitted, including reducing the number of homes from 102 to 91 and moving the project out of a flood zone.
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Developers also moved the development further away from the Grade I-listed Church of St Mary, which previously caused concerns in older applications.
However, chair of the residents association, Janet Suffield, still thought the development was too close, fearing it could cause "a permanent loss of sense of place" due to the homes' modern design.
There were also concerns over how the plans would impact other businesses like Doverdale Park.
The owners of the retirement living complex said: "It will affect our business and residents are already regretting buying (with us) as hedges will surround them."
Councillors voted eight for the proposal and four voted against.
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A spokesperson for Beechcroft Land Ltd said: "There has been a detailed planning history with dismissed appeals in regards to larger housing developments and the previous in 2023 plan was dismissed.
"It was dismissed due to the harm to heritage assets, the adverse effects of landscape character and adverse impact on visual amenity.
"That discussion was questioned and the appeal was subsequently withdrawn.
"These schemes aim to reduce the mitigating impacts by reducing the dwellings and reducing the site area to pull the development further away from the heritage assets."
The developers argued that previous concerns had been addressed and amendments were made to the new application as a result.