About The Site
The Site
The site is located at Battenhall Farm in south-east Worcester. It lies west of Whittington Road, immediately north of Whittington Hall business park and south of New College Worcester.
The site is well-related to Worcester’s existing built-up area. Existing residential neighbourhoods including St Peter’s, Battenhall, Red Hill and Whittington are located nearby.
The north-western and southern boundaries of the site are defined by mature trees and hedgerows, providing a strong degree of natural containment. There are also existing Public Rights of Way along the north-western boundary and adjacent to the south-western boundary, linking Whittington Road towards St Peter’s.
Our proposals relate only to the eastern part of the wider Battenhall Farm area, close to Whittington Road and Whittington Hall business park. No development is proposed across the wider central or northern parts of Battenhall Farm, with areas instead retained and enhanced as habitats to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain.
A well-connected location
The site benefits from close proximity to Worcester City Centre and good access to local schools and GP surgeries, many of which are within walking, cycling or public transport distance. The proposals would also provide new local shopping, care and employment opportunities on the site.
Bus stops on Whittington Road are located approximately 150 metres from the site, offering regular services to Worcester City Centre, Evesham and surrounding settlements.
The site is also well-connected to the wider transport network. Junction 7 of the M5 is located approximately 1km to the south-east. Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street railway stations are located approximately 2.4km and 3km to the north-west, while Worcestershire Parkway Station is located approximately 3km to the south-east.
Planning Context
Changes in the way housing need is calculated through the Government’s revised National Planning Policy Framework mean Worcester is expected to plan for more new homes than previously required.
The recently adopted South Worcestershire Development Plan Review was prepared on the basis of a need for 1,178 dwellings per annum across Worcester, Wychaven, and Malvern Hills districts, however the latest housing need figure for the three councils is 2,150 dwellings per annum. This means the Council will need to identify additional suitable sites to help meet local housing needs.
Battenhall Farm can make a meaningful contribution by providing up to 70 new homes in a sustainable location, close to existing homes, services, public transport and local facilities.
The site is not subject to any site-specific designations or allocations within the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review.