Harriett Baldwin has offered her support to campaigners who are hoping to protect ancient woodland on the outskirts of Pershore. And the MP has written to Wychavon District Council’s managing director, Jack Hegarty, outlining concerns from local people about a proposed site for housing development on the edge of Tiddesley Wood.

Campaigners have written to Harriett ahead of a consultation process which proposes the site in the new South Worcestershire Development Plan. Local people will be asked to have their say on new proposed sites across the south of he county, and Harriett has agreed to support the campaign to protect this green space on the edge of Pershore.

Harriett commented:

“The Tiddesley Wood proposal has caused extensive local concern and I was happy to raise them with Wychavon District Council ahead of the formal consultation. I’m a long-standing member of the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, which owns the wood, and I am very familiar with this part of Pershore and its popularity.

“I know local people will have their say and I encourage as many people as possible to take the time to look at the proposals and give their feedback.

“I have always said that we need the right development in the right places, and I object to large scale developments being forced on local communities. I have always preferred to see brown field site development rather than plans which encroach on our green spaces and impact on our local wildlife.

“I am sure that the local council and local councillors will listen to local people’s views and take them into account as they develop a new blueprint for growth for Pershore.”