REGULATIONS that could prevent villages around Tenbury and the Teme Valley expanding to provide new homes should be stopped.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire that includes Tenbury, wants to call a halt on District Council regulations that can block expansion plans.

Villages are often prevented from expanding by district council regulations aimed at preserving the size of villages. This means that villages which hope to develop are held back by red tape.

It is an issue that has raised by West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin and she has raised the issue with Planning Minister Brandon Lewis who has told her that ‘blanket policies restricting housing development should be avoided’ and she has passed on the letter to Malvern Hills planners.

“The categorisation of villages has been a bone of contention for some rural councils which want to embrace local growth,” said Harriett Baldwin.

“I have always felt that those villages who want to expand should be allowed to do so.

“This categorisation process also means that larger villages like Clifton-upon-Teme have had quite a few planning applications while other, smaller villages where development would be welcomed have had none at all.

“I will be meeting with the leadership at Malvern Hills District Council in the coming weeks and I am sure this matter will come up in our discussions.”