31 January 2025
MP Blasts Tiddesley Wood Building Blow

West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has blasted a decision which will see house-building on the edge of historic woodland near Pershore.

The MP had long campaigned against a planning application for 300 houses close to Tiddesley Wood and Dame Harriett warned that the permission granted by planning inspectors is another blow to rural Worcestershire.

Dame Harriett has criticised the Government for adopting a ‘build anywhere’ approach which has opened the door to speculative planning applications across the county without a proper strategy for enhancing local infrastructure.

And the MP warned that while the Government is placing its focus on abolishing one tier of local government, it risks taking local people’s views and representations out of the planning decision process.

Dame Harriett said:

“I am appalled that a speculative planning application like this has been approved, putting our historic woodlands at risk.

“The Labour party have already shown that they have no love for rural Britain with their Family Farm Tax and threats to allow solar farms and electricity pylons wherever they like.

“While the Deputy Prime Minister is busy attempting to abolish a whole tranche of councillors who make sure local people have their say on housing development, they have effectively given house-builders the green light to blight our green and pleasant land.

“This is a worrying portent and I plan to meet with the local planning team to hear their views on what this might mean for West Worcestershire.

“And I’ll be writing to the Government to call for a proper plan for delivering infrastructure.

“The new occupants will want roads, bus and rail services and access to GPs and hospitals. and this has to be an urgent priority while the Government ties local councillors hands behind their backs.”