Virgin soil in holy housing row

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Development

Residents in Evesham are up in alms over plans to build 200 houses on a site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared.

The Keep Evesham Green (KEG) group believes the land to be sacred and has called on planners to seek an alternate plot for the homes, the Evesham Journal has reported.

The Virgin apparently appeared to pig farmer Eof and St Egwin around 1,300 years ago, the latter moved to found Evesham Abbey by the experience.

Local Geoff Gent said: "“The site is one in Great Britain where the Virgin Mary has appeared. Evesham is one of Europe’s most important religious centres and this is kind of the last green acres in Evesham. We have the most wonderful views of the riverbank and they are part of the town.”

In a fervent letter to a local newspaper, David Birch wrote:“Evesham will surely fight this stupendously insensitive rape of its heritage with all the might it can muster.”

The Virgin Mary has made many appearances across the world. She also commonly manifests in food items such as toast, crisps and biscuits.