A DEVELOPMENT company which owns a precinct in Droitwich has come in for severe criticism from some people in the town.

They accused Kandahar of making a mess of redeveloping the town centre and said they do not want it involved in a further development of the western side of Droitwich.

The company is currently revamping Salters Shop-ping Centre and has worked with Wychavon District Council to create a development brief for the western site, which currently houses Morrisons supermarket.

Some of the area which could be developed is owned by Kandahar but a large part includes two Wychavon-owned car parks.

The development brief details plans for shops and leisure facilities on the car parks, which would be replaced by a new tiered car park.

A planning application is eventually expected from Kandahar. but first the company has agreed to consult with the voluntary sector and young people's groups.

Speaking at the town council's annual meeting, Edgar Harwood said: "I've seen what a pig's ear they have made of the precinct.

"It's an absolute disgrace to the town. Why can't we put the new expansion out to tender? It's called competition." His words were greeted with applause by many of the 70-strong crowd and Graham Gopsill said: "Somebody else should develop that particular part of it.

"I don't think one person should own our town."

Roy Seabourne said: "You can have what you want if you make enough fuss."

Speaking after the meeting Wychavon's managing director Jack Hegarty said it would be difficult to involve another developer because Kandahar owned part of the site and the whole of the adjacent shopping centre.

He said: "If we got a separate developer in they wouldn't want to talk to each other and I want to ensure that Droitwich gets an exceptionally good centre."

Mr Hegarty also said that if planning permission was eventually granted the council would consider selling part of the car park to the developer but would retain ownership of any public car park.

Wychavon's regeneration manager Chris Brooks said: "It's a really positive development and it does fit every regional strategy.

"I think it's something many people across the town will welcome and further consultation will be done."

No one at Kandahar was available to comment.