AROUND 75 new homes are likely to be built in south Worcestershire, now Taylor Wimpey has acquired an area of land at Honeybourne, near Evesham for potential development.

The housebuilder has completed the purchase of the site, an arable field of approximately four acres between Western Road and High Street on the south-eastern edge of the village.

The land already benefits from outline planning permission for a residential development of up to 75 new homes, and Taylor Wimpey’s reserved matters planning application, setting out the finer details of the scheme, was approved by Wychavon District Council in August 2013.

The first new homes at the development are expected to be released for sale in October. Andrew Taylor, regional land and planning director for Taylor Wimpey, said: "We are delighted to have secured such a prestigious site and have consulted closely with the local planning authority, the people of Honeybourne and other key stakeholders to formulate our scheme. The project will bring many benefits to the village and the region as a whole, including the creation of much-needed housing – including affordable homes – as well as new employment opportunities plus significant investment in the local community.”

As part of the planning consent for the site, Taylor Wimpey will contribute around £260,000 towards education provision, cycling facilities, highways improvements, leisure services, public art projects, recycling facilities and public open space within the village. Land is to be made available for the construction of a new village hall while Wychavon District Council will also receive payments under the New Homes Bonus scheme to spend within the local community.

Taylor Wimpey’s scheme comprises 75 homes ranging in size from two-bedroom starter homes through to five-bedroom family-size properties. Thirty of the homes will be affordable properties available for rental or shared ownership via a local housing association. The development of the site will include the retention of existing trees, hedges and existing rights of way, the provision of large areas of public open space, a new vehicle access in Weston Road and pedestrian links to High Street.