RESIDENTS of Malvern Link are being asked to rally round in opposition to plans to develop a local green space.

The scheme to build 110 homes on a former allotment site off Lower Howsell Road, owned by the

Madresfield Estate, was revealed to the public by planning consultants Harris Lamb at the end of last month.

One resident, Ron Harris, of nearby Summerfield Road, immediately responded by starting up a petition opposing the scheme.

Now he is launching the Malvern Link Forum as an organised body to protest the proposal, and he is inviting everyone to take part in a mass photo-shoot on the site on Thursday, July 31, at 7pm.

He said: "I want everybody who thinks this is a bad idea to join us on Thursday. We've had an eight-foot banner made up and we just want to show how strong the opposition to this plan is.

"The petition is going extremely well. We've got 20 people going round knocking on doors, and they've got over 600 signatures so far. The petition will be there on Thursday for anyone who's not already signed it."

Mr Harris said a major reason for opposing development of the site is that the entrance to the field off Lower Howsell Road is dangerous.

He said: "It's on a bend and it's opposite the children's play area, where lots of children aged 12 and under go. In 1994 Barrett Housing tried to build on this land, and it was thrown out because the entrance was so dangerous."

Following the photocall on Thursday, the next event is a meeting on Tuesday, August 12, at Malvern Cricket Club, Regency Road, starting at 7pm.

Mr Harris said: "Councillors have agreed to be there , and I hope to have someone from planning and someone form highways there as well. This will be a chance for residents to get up and say what they think about the plan."

Since the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP), which provides a blueprint for development in the area until 2030, has not yet been completed, and Malvern Hills District Council cannot demonstrate a five-year land

supply, national guidelines say housing developments deemed “sustainable” should be approved.