A BID to build a business park on the site of the derelict Ronkswood Hospital have moved a step closer - but questions are now being asked about whether the development is still needed.

Plans to put up 26 offices on the site have been submitted to Worcester City Council, just weeks after similar proposals were drawn up for land further down Newtown Road next to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"If they are going to build on the Newtown site perhaps the Ronkswood land would be better for housing," said chairman of Ronkswood Action Group Angela Carey.

"If there's no unemployment in Worcester, who's going to take these jobs on - aren't we going to need

housing?"

According to the outline plans, an access road would be built opposite the western exit of Canterbury Road.

A loop road would be laid across the 10-acre site serving the buildings, which would consist of five three-storey units, with the rest two storeys high.

A 50ft "buffer zone", made up of hedges, would be created around the edge of the site to screen housing to the east and Ronkswood Hill Farm Meadows and Leopard Hill Special Wildlife site to the north and west.

Resident Jon Baddeley was pleased that the higher buildings would be set back and would not overlook homes but was angered at the prospect of seeing a string of poplar trees felled to make way for the widening of Newtown Road.

"That's something we object to. I've lived up here for 30 years and if you get used to the look of something you want to keep it," said Mr Baddeley, of Ripon Road.

City council planning manager Peter Yates was concerned about the possible removal of the trees, but maintained the Ronkswood offices were needed.

"Worcester has a serious need for more jobs to serve the city directly," he said.

Many city people commuted elsewhere to work, he added.