PLANS to turn Kidderminster's Piano Building into shops and flats led to a furious row after planners warned the scheme would suffer from a lack of parking.

The plan - which came a year after civic leaders controversially stopped it being knocked down for a cinema - was still voted through by councillors, but only after a blazing argument.

This centred on there being no parking spaces for the 10 apartments.

Liberal councillor Fran Oborski said more information was needed about the scheme for the dormant building, which lies in Weavers Wharf and has a roof shaped like a piano, and moved members delay their decision.

Speaking at last Thursday's meeting of the planning (development control) committee at Wyre Forest District Council, she said: "Most people who live there will have to go elsewhere to earn their living and I don't believe Kidderminster town centre is ready for what is supposed to be high quality flats with no access for parking."

Her fears over the plan, which included two glass stair towers on each end of the building and a two-storey retail extension, won vocal support.

Health Concern councillor Jill Fairbrother-Millis said: "The car parking is a concern because the tragedy is, as we have said very forcibly, Kidderminster does not have any transport or public transport infrastructure."

Mayor of Kidderminster and Liberal Democrat councillor Helen Dyke added: "I am all for town centre regeneration. I work in the town centre, I want the best for Kidderminster but it is not feasible with the public transport we have in Kidderminster at the moment."

Council leader Howard Martin hit back at the claims and said the application, from Highstone Estates, was the "final piece of the jigsaw" for Weavers Wharf.

He grew angry when Mrs Oborski voiced her disapproval during his speech, telling her it was "tough" if she disagreed with him.

He went on: "I share the concerns regarding the lack of parking but I believe that the developers would not invest a lot of money in letting or building residential units if they didn't believe they would have a market.

"I believe it is a stunning piece of design. It is a stunning opportunity for this town and if we go for deferral we are in danger of losing this once and for all."

Conservative councillor June Salter said: "It is not up to us to tell them whether they can buy them, whether there is parking there. It is the developer who is going to lose out."