RESIDENTS have a week left to have their say on multi-million pound plans for the regeneration of Worcester’s Shrub Hill Quarter.

A consultation on the ambitious proposals finishes on Friday, March 15.

Worcester City Council is working with Worcestershire County Council, which owns the Shrub Hill Industrial Estate, on the project.

The plans are for the transformation of a 14-hectare site to create both a gateway to and an extension of the city centre.

Worcester News: An idea of what the railway station might look likeAn idea of what the railway station might look like (Image: Worcester City Council)

According to the Shrub Hill Quarter Supplementary Planning Document, the area could provide up to 5,000 jobs, more than 500 homes and two hectares of public space over the next 20 years.

The site includes a number of listed buildings including Worcester Engine Works, the former Great Western Hotel, Isaac Maddox House, West Midlands Tavern and Shrub Hill Station, which will be kept and “improved” to form part of the overall redevelopment.

Some related projects have already been given planning permission including the Shrub Hill Quarter Shared Use Link, which will see the creation of a ‘green’ pathway connecting the railway station to the city centre.

Worcester News: The area outside the station will be transformed under the plansThe area outside the station will be transformed under the plans (Image: Worcester City Council)

The Sheriff’s Gate scheme includes hundreds of apartments, a 200-room hotel, restaurants, a cinema, bowling alley and gym delivered across five phases.

There are also plans to improve Shrub Hill Station itself, including demolishing both Elgar House and the single-storey NHS building to create a more welcoming pedestrian area in front of the station.

Sending the plans for public consultation at the end of January, the city council’s Place and Economic Development Committee expressed fears of “gentrification” around the project.

Cllr Jabba Riaz said: “My fear is how that will affect the neighbourhood communities in the area - will they be priced out of their own homes?

“The effect of gentrification within the area is very real.

"How many people from this city are going to be able to afford to live in these properties? It's a great welcome investment but that threat is there."

You can respond to the consultation at www.worcester.gov.uk/council/consultations