OFFICIALS have told Droitwich residents the town can cope with major new housebuilding plans.

Phil Rook, from Worcestershire Children First, which delivers children's services, and Simon Trickett from the Clinical Commissioning Group, which commissions health services, assured residents the town’s schools and GP practices could cope with the rising population resulting from the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review.

READ MORE: Group campaigning to save Tiddesley Wood welcomes MP's intervention

Mr Rook said though the schools in and around Droitwich could cope with the increase, a new first school would probably be needed by 2041, the target date for 730 new homes included in the SWDP.

Mr Trickett said the surgeries in the town all had room for expansion and could cope, but the challenge facing the community is adapting their use of NHS services.

He also said though the physical space was there, the manpower requirements of a higher population would have to be addressed.

The two were speaking at a special meeting held at the Church of Sacred Heart in Droitwich on Tuesday.

Residents were invited to hear from representatives of Wychavon District Council, West Mercia Police and Worcestershire County Council’s highways department on how the town will cope with the growing population expected over the next two decades.

Opening the meeting, councillor Richard Morris said: “This meeting came about while we were canvassing in the May elections.

“There were generally three responses: what was going on nationally with Brexit, the A38 Copcut roadworks and what will happen regarding policing, education and healthcare in Droitwich.” (relating to the extra homes). Droitwich has seen 226 homes already built from the original 2016 SWDP, with the extra 730 homes to be built by 2041. The SWDP Review includes proposals for more than 14,000 homes across the county including a new 5,000 home village next to Worcestershire Parkway railway station and an extra 1,000 homes in Rushwick.