A STRATEGY on where to build waste management centres in Worcestershire will have to be revised despite already costing the taxpayer a significant sum.

Officers from Worcester-shire County Council have recommended councillors ask the Secretary of State to withdraw the waste core strategy they submitted in January after discovering it was unlikely to be rubber-stamped by the Government.

More than two years' worth of work has been invested into the strategy, which planning authorities are required by law to produce.

The U-turn comes after a planning inspector informed the council that its strategy was not specific enough about which sites could be used for waste centres.

The strategy is supposed to set out policies governing how planning applications for waste management centres should be decided until 2021. It had identified industrial sites classed as B2 - general industry - and B8 - storage or distribution centres - as preferred places rather than identifying particular locations.

However, planning manager Paul Maitland defended officers' actions saying the strategy was prepared in line with advice given by the Government Office for the West Midlands. "It came as a bit of a shock. We feel there has been an inconsistency in the advice we've been given."

Officer time, payment for consultants and public consultation has accounted for most of the costs which Mr Maitland described as "a significant amount".

He said the decision about the proposed recycling plant at Norton, near Worcester, would not be affected because the proposed site in Wood-bury Lane is earmarked for industrial use and in line with current policies.

Councillor Alwyn Davies, cabinet member for planning, economy and performance, said: "I am deeply disappointed the Government failed to keep us informed."