​WYCHAVON TOWN POLICY CONTEXT
The South Worcestershire Council’s (“the SWCs”) are in the process of undertaking a review of the South Worcestershire Development Plan known as the SWDPR. When adopted, the SWDPR will set out how development will be delivered in South Worcestershire over the period 2016-2041.
The SWDPR was submitted for independent examination in September 2023. In October 2025, the Inspectors issued an interim view that the Plan is likely to be found sound and legally compliant, subject to a series of modifications.
These modifications are now out for public consultation until the 17th February, and the adoption of the SWDPR is anticipated in March 2026.
As a part of the SWDPR, draft policy SWDPR 02 sets out that 18,852 new dwellings will be needed in the South Worcestershire area between the 1st April 2025 and 31st March 2041. The SWDPR proposes to deliver many of those homes within a new settlement called Wychavon Town (previously Worcestershire Parkway).
Draft Policy SWDPR 55 proposes Wychavon Town as a new exemplar community with an appropriate mix and size of dwellings. The Strategic growth area extends to approximately 1,134 hectares (ha).
​
It goes on to state that Wychavon Town will make provision for approximately 10,000 new dwellings and 50 hectares of employment land. A minimum of 5,000 dwellings will be delivered in the period up until 2041.
Concept Plan
Click on the above image to view a larger version - Extract from the SWDPR Main Modifications
In addition to new housing and employment land, draft Policy SWDPR 55 sets out that Wychavon Town will deliver a series of well-connected neighbourhoods, each served by facilities, schools, and services within the local centres and the main town centre.
The new development will be designed so that walking, cycling, and public transport are the most attractive forms of local transport.
A comprehensive green infrastructure network and net biodiversity gains are also included.
The Stoulton relief road (also referred to as the Stoulton Bypass) is identified as transport infrastructure necessary for the delivery of the entire community.
DRAFT WYCHAVON TOWN SPATIAL FRAMEWORK SPD
The draft Wychavon Town Spatial Framework SPD sets out the vision for a major new, comprehensively planned settlement. Designed around high quality placemaking and the landscape of South Worcestershire, it aims to deliver a new town with a strong focus on sustainable travel, affordable housing, and exemplary design standards.
The SPD positions the development as a national benchmark for the next generation of new town scale communities in England.
ABBOTSWOOD RIDGE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Abbotswood Ridge is identified within the SPD as the largest neighbourhood within Wychavon Town, and the site itself forms the southern part of this neighbourhood. The SPD sets out a vision for a vibrant, well connected community where homes, facilities and key public spaces are arranged around a central ridgeline linear park (‘Ridge Park'). This green spine will form the heart of the neighbourhood, supporting active travel and linking a series of local centres positioned at key east–west route intersections.
The SPD sets out that Abbotswood Ridge could have up to three distinctive centres, two of which are on Ridge Park and one of which is adjacent to the Sports Hub and primary school.
In line with the SPD, Wain Estates application incorporates one of the distinctive local centres, Ridge Park, Abbotswood Park, sports pitches and a proposed primary school.
Wychavon Town Plan
Extract from the Wychavon Town Spatial Framework SPD - Click on the above image to view a larger version