West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has repeated her call for a clear buffer zone to protect the ancient Tiddesley Wood from housing developers after the approval of a planning application to build up to 300 homes on the edge of Pershore, against the wishes of Wychavon councillors.

The MP has written to the housing developer to insist that the builders follow the strict conditions which were imposed on the application including the protection of the buffer zone between the woodland and the building site.

Dame Harriett met with representatives of Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust following the Planning Inspector’s decision to approve the proposal.

Following those meetings the MP wrote to the company which applied for planning permission – Formula Land Limited – urging the company to respect the planning conditions which aim to protect the precious green space on the edge of Pershore.

Dame Harriett said:

“The planning decision was bitterly disappointing to all the people who campaigned against the new homes at Orchard Farm, because they are close to the precious woodland, but it is now essential that the strict planning conditions are adhered to.

“I have asked the housing developer to do all it can to respect the buffer zone which will be essential to preserve the integrity of the ancient woodland.

“I plan to keep a close eye on this matter and hope to meet with the developer in due course to urge them to be good neighbours to the people of Pershore.”