Rushwick, Malvern Hills

New Homes for a Growing Community

FAQs

General Project Information

  • Located at a strategic location to the west of Worcester and north of the village of Rushwick, the site is situated in a prime location to deliver local housing growth.

    The development is ideally positioned next to existing nearby services and excellent transport links, with access to major roads – the A4440 and A44.

    As part of the proposals, the project team is examining how to improve the local highways infrastructure to facilitate any new car journeys generated by the development.

  • Bellway’s site will deliver around 100 new homes on land south of the A4103.

    New publicly accessible green spaces will be created to enhance community interaction and outdoor recreation. An additional, separate, parcel of land will deliver up to 10 plots for travelling showpeople north of the A4103.

Community Benefits and Impact

  • The development will deliver around 100 new homes to meet essential local housing needs, as well as including benefits for the community, such as:

    • A variety of home types and tenures to meet local needs.

    • 40% of the new homes will be affordable housing.

    • Open green space for residents to enjoy.

  • Bellway is committed to minimising disruption during construction. Detailed measures – including a managed construction timetable, traffic mitigation strategies, and clear community engagement – will reduce noise, dust, and traffic congestion.

Design, Sustainability & Timelines

  • The project will adhere to modern, sustainable design principles that include:

    • Energy-efficient homes and low-carbon construction techniques

    • Well-integrated urban design that prioritises walkability and access to public transport

    • Diverse and accessible public spaces, including landscaped green spaces and community areas

  • The new homes will have direct access onto Claphill Lane, south of the A4103. 

    The plots on the northern parcel of the site will also be accessed via Claphill Lane, north of the A4103.

  • Bellway is targeting to submit the planning application in Summer 2025, following the current consultation period.

Up to 10 plots for travelling showpeople

  • The plots will be used by travelling showpeople, who are members of a distinct occupational and cultural group operating funfairs and circuses. They typically travel with their families and live in mobile accommodation, but they require a permanent base called ‘yards’ (referred to as ‘plots’ in planning terms), where they live during the off-season and store their equipment.

  • There is a shortage of plots to accommodate travelling showpeople, which is recognised in national planning policy by providing a legal requirement for local councils to ensure plots are identified and delivered. Specifically for Malvern Hills, the plots on this site need to be delivered within the early years the emerging local plan (SWDPR) being adopted to ensure there is a five-year supply of plots, as required by national policy.

  • Malvern Hills District Council has designated this site in its emerging local plan (SWDPR) as a suitable location for delivering plots for travelling showpeople, located next to the A444, which is strategic transport corridor, as well as being in a sustainable location with access to a range of local services and facilities.

  • As part of the design for the plots and homes, extensive landscaping work will be incorporated into the proposals to minimise visual and landscape impact on the surrounding community. Plots for travelling showpeople have been provided as part of residential areas throughout the country and have integrated into those communities.

  • The plots will be the responsibility of their respective owners and will be subject to restrictions on noise similar to employment sites and can be enforced through the environmental health team at Malvern Hills District Council. This will be determined in detail during the planning process.