EVESHAM'S Port Street will never again be a shopping street,

according to a town councillor.

Cllr John Smith, who is also a member of the district and county councils, made the comment at a town council meeting on Monday. Members were discussing a proposed development of 14 flats and a shop on land and buildings to the rear of 31 to 35 Port Street. Some feared the height of the property would too large for the area.

Cllr Smith said: "I'm sympathetic to the application because, sad as it seems, Port Street will never be a shopping street again, and we need some residential development in there. It would generate some more interest in the specialist shops.

"Whether there is too much on the site I don't know, but as a general principle I don't have a problem (with the application). It will tidy up what is at present a pretty tatty area."

Cllr Simon Widdus added: "I just think the developers are trying to get the maximum amount of money out of the project, and I think cramming 14 flats in is too much. But going for less flats, I couldn't see a problem with the application."

Bengeworth Traders secretary Katie Gilbert said: "Obviously Cllr Smith has not been up here for a while, because saying the area is not a shopping street is not what we hear from other people. Two new businesses have moved in to Port Street this weekend and last year we had about 15 new shops in the area. It is important to have residential development but it's equally important to have the input of local traders."

Members voted in favour of the planning application.