Market plan looks likely to stall again

The latest scheme to turn the former Worcester Produce site in Hylton Road, St John's, into a health and fitness centre and three shops has been recommended for refusal by planning officers.

The plans, put forward by site owners Warley Street Properties in March, include demolishing the existing buildings and replacing them with a 27,000 sq ft gym with weights and running rooms, a lounge, creche and restaurant, as well as 100 parking spaces.

It was the underground car parking that the Environment Agency and the planners objected to. In his report, Worcester City Council planning officer Alan Coleman said the scheme, although carefully designed to reduce the amount of development on the flood plain, did not comply with Environment Agency policy on flood flow and the organisation was concerned it would be difficult to deal with flooding problems.

If given the go-ahead, the health centre would be on the second floor and entry would be by stairs at the back of the building. The shops would be on a raised ground level along the front of Hylton Road.

The site itself has been empty and neglected for more than 10 years.

The land, part of the riverside conservation area, has been subject to a number of planning applications from the likes of Safeways and B&Q. All have been turned down because of the flooding concerns.

Mr Coleman said the site was bringing the area down.

"The site has a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the surrounding area, including an important section, when viewed from the eastern banks of the river Severn, of the riverside conservation area."

He said that Warley Street Properties was now in negotiations with the Environment Agency and if an agreement about how to overcome the flood storage objection could be reached, he would review his recommendation to turn down the application.

The application is due to be discussed by the council at a meeting tomorrow.