NEIGHBOURS are celebrating after coach operator Malvernian Tours announced plans to move its busy depot from narrow Belmont Road, in Malvern, to a more accessible location.

Owner Sharon Hodgkins is seeking planning permission to knock down the depot on the corner of Newtown Road and Belmont Road and replace it with housing.

She is looking to move the company to a location “within the Malvern area”, but declined to confirm exactly where this will be.

Mrs Hodgkins, of Castlemorton, said the decision to move was based on continued problems with the current site. She said: “The whole site has been difficult. We did get coaches stuck around there, but it’s time to move off and get something a little bit more accessible. It’s always been a nightmare.”

Neighbour Karen Harding, who has lived in Belmont Road for nine years, welcomed the news. She said: “The road is now too narrow. We have parked cars on both sides and coaches block it regularly. It’s noisy and we have all the drivers’ cars causing parking problems. As long as the house builders address the parking problem at this end, I think it’s a really good move.”

Her next door neighbour Richard Upson, whose house borders the company’s yard, said the progress of the North Site housing development, located just streets away, could well have prompted the decision to move.

“I think they would have a problem when the new houses are built on North Site because Belmont Road will become a rat run. Really they have to move.”

He said his car had been hit by a Malvernian coach before, but that the company had been co-operative and helpful in dealing with the damage.

He said: “What would concern me more is the building work. Hopefully, when it’s done it will improve the area.”

Graham Sweet, who lives further down Belmont Road, said problems arose when coaches and cars met at busy times.

Mrs Hodgkins said that complaints from residents had not been a factor in the decision to move.