Terminally ill man could lose bungalow if 99 homes approved

A terminally ill man and his partner could be forced to move out of their bungalow if plans for a new housing development in Kempsey are approved.

Proposals to build 99 homes in a field off Napleton Lane will be decided by a planning inspector in September.

And if the scheme gets the go-ahead, the home of Terry Brickley and Karan Shakespeare will be demolished to make way for a new access road.

The couple have lived at 45 Bannut Hill for five years and are well known in Kempsey having previously run the Crown Inn for close to a decade.

Mr Brickley suffers from COPD, a chronic lung condition that makes it increasingly difficult to breathe, and has also been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I’m terminal,” said the 79-year-old. “I don’t know how long I’ve got but it’s in my bones, it’s in my pelvis.”

He said his main concern was to “make sure that Karan is safe” when he goes. “I don’t want her to be on her own,” he said, “ I want her to be with her family.”

The couple say they get a lot of support from neighbours in Bannut Hill and members of Karan’s family who live in the village.

“We don’t want to leave, not really, but if it comes to it we will have to” said Ms Shakespeare, 69, who is also disabled.

“They are taking it from underneath us and with Terry being so ill, it’s not good for his health – he gets stressed out and struggles with his breathing.”

Mr Brickley said Platform Housing has been “pretty good” and the couple are viewing a couple of potential homes, but it’s clear they don’t want the upheaval of moving at all.

Kempsey’s county councillor Martin Allen said: “Many of us are doing everything we can to help Terry and Karan keep their home.

“Platform Housing appears willing to sell it from under them. Given Terry’s illness, Platform seems to show little compassion or care; it appears to be all about the money.”

Malvern Hills District Council rejected outline plans for the 99-home scheme in December 2025 but the decision has since been appealed by developer Hallam Land.

The homes would be built on a field behind 45 Bannut Hill and the access road would also cut through other gardens in the street.

Cllr Allen added: “I have applied to attend the planning appeal on September 8. If permitted, I will speak on behalf of Kempsey residents, especially Terry and Karan.”

Marion Duffy, chief operations officer at Platform Housing Group, said: “Our customers’ welfare is our priority.

“We remain in regular contact with them and are working closely with them to find a suitable new home. We are now arranging viewings of two potential homes so they can decide whether either meets their needs.”