A FORMER nightclub gutted by a fire 17 years ago has been branded 'a disgraceful eyesore' as a frustrated councillor calls for developers to 'get a move on' and transform the prime site.
The former Zig Zag nightclub in St John's in Worcester was destroyed by a fire in May 2007 and was demolished three years ago but concerns are mounting about the lack of progress.
These photos show the spot, in the heart of St John's, in a forlorn state, now a dumping ground for fly-tipped waste.
Nothing remains of the club itself bar an overgrown hollow in the ground behind a bulging chain link fence.
A city and county councillor and residents have called for action on the 'eyesore' especially after improvements to the pavements and roads in St John's by Worcestershire County Council, including the relieving congestion programme.
Five fire engines and 30 firefighters rushed to the scene to tackle the blaze 17 years ago.
Even then Zig Zag, a popular haunt in the 90s, had been derelict for some years.
Cllr Alan Amos, the Bedwardine councillor for the city and county council, said: "It's an utter disgrace. The situation is extremely frustrating. It has gone on for so long.
"Developers claim they are going to start work but they never do. It's a real eyesore in St John's - and it doesn't have to be like that. It amazes me. It's a wonderful opportunity for development. Just get on and do it. Why the hell don't they get on with it?"
He intends to meet with planning officers in April to discuss 'legal remedies' but said the law was on the side of developers.
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One resident who declined to be named said residents were 'sick of it' while one business owner said it would be great as a Nando's or cafe especially now the pavements were wider and with a large student population.
"People spend money in town but there's nothing really here. This site is such a great opportunity. It was an eyesore until they took it down," she said.
A plan to flatten Zig Zag and build 12 new apartments above shop and office space was approved by Worcester City Council’s planning committee in October 2016.
We reported in February 2023 that there was no progress despite a condition in the planning decision saying that work should begin within two years due to a disagreement over section 106 money – funds the developer has to give the council for local infrastructure.
The city council said yes to a plan for the apartments after coming to a final agreement with the developer Peter Styles in early 2019.
The plan was hit by further delays with demolition halted after Mr Styles was said to have decided to sell the building before he returned with a new application.
The newest plans were to provide two shop units, five flats and three terraced houses under redrawn plans, approved by the city council.
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