THE completion of the Worcester ring road should be considered as part of south Worcestershire’s future development, councillors have agreed.

Worcester City, Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councillors are currently in the process of confirming their joint response to regional development plans which would see almost 25,000 new homes built across the three districts by 2026.

But in a surprise last-minute amendment, the three authorities plan to include a demand that Worcestershire County Council “continues investigating and evaluating the case for implementation of a north-west link road (Rushwick to Claines) for Worcester”.

The city council’s planning committee chairman Robert Rowden said: “That in part was a response to the recent public consultation. I think in general people would like to see that link road built.”

The 28-page document outlining the three councils’ views stresses that improvements to public transport, highways, health services and other infrastructure will be essential to cope with the planned increase in housing.

It also asks for the “extension of the green belt around Worcester” to be considered.

But it “completely rejects” a recent report by Government-appointed consultants saying even more new homes should be built in south Worcestershire, on top of the 25,000 .

“We feel we should stick with the original figures – they’re the best we’re going to get,” Coun Rowden said.

Having received the approval of Worcester City and Malvern Hills’ planning committees, the draft response will next be discussed by Wychavon councillors before going before council leaders and the full councils later this month.

Just a few months ago the idea of completing the city ring road with a north-west bypass between Rushwick and Claines appeared dead and buried, when the county council decided not to ask for Government funding.

County highways officers said a ring road would increase pressure on the M5’s already-overloaded junction six, and could turn Worcester into a ‘dormitory town’ for commuters working in Birmingham and Bristol.

But pressure has been building on County Hall to change its stance, with several city councillors speaking out in support of a ring road along with Worcester MP Mike Foster, who recently released survey results suggesting eight out of 10 constituents want the road completed.

There are now signs County Hall may be changing its mind. Last week the county’s cabinet member responsible for transport, Derek Prodger, said he would “still consider a northern link”.