RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on outline plans for a major office development on Worcester's former Ronkswood Hospital site.

Worcester City Council planners are preparing to give initial approval for an outline scheme on the land and, over the next month, are inviting members of the public to have their say.

The move comes after residents raised concerns about traffic, the impact on the skyline and car parking problems.

The three issues dominated the list of concerns raised by 1,200 residents and organisations in a consultation exercise last autumn.

Planners have pledged to take into account their views on the future of the 19-acre site, which could become a hi-tech office campus with links to the medical industry - with the potential for at least 700 new jobs in Worcester.

Observations on the future development of the site have already been incorporated into a new document that will ultimately form a planning guide.

Now, residents are being given a final opportunity to comment on the precise wording of the final development guideline.

"The site's future as an employment site is not up for debate, but the final shape and appearance of any scheme can still be influenced by public opinion and that's the opportunity we're extending for the final time," said planning officer Brian Roberts.

Copies of the draft supplementary planning document can be viewed at the Farrier Street Customer Services Centre, libraries and the city council's website: www.cityofworcester.

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Representations can be made up to Friday, June 17, ahead of full-scale inclusion in the local development framework.

The hospital site was vacated in 2002 and the 50-year old buildings have since been demolished.

But Mr Roberts said several factors, including the importance of wildlife and retaining the essential "openness" of the site, will play a hand before formal permission is allowed.