PLANNING officers are opposing the development of a new nursing home in Worcester - despite a desperate need for beds in the city.

Morris Care wants to build a 56-bed home, creating 112 full and part-time jobs.

The facility, which would be built in Bromwich Road, would provide a variety of care services, including intermediate, post-operative, terminal and convalescence care.

However, Worcester City Council's chief planning officer, Peter Yates, is recommending that planning committee members reject the plan.

He said the land had been allocated for existing and future business needs, but this strategy was currently under review.

He said granting planning permission for a home on the site would "prejudice the outcome of the plan process."

He also said Morris Care had failed to provide justifiable reasons for the loss of the employment site.

Stuart McNidder, the council's director of development services, admitted there was a need for a new care home in the city.

"However, in my opinion, this fact alone does not outweigh the loss of allocated employment land," he said.

"I do not consider that the applicant has demonstrated that the identified care home need can only be met by developing the application site."

The home would be built on the site of the former Severn Trent depot in Lower Wick.

Morris Care made the same planning application last year, but withdrew it before presenting it to the planning committee.

Sue Humphries, chief executive of Morris Care, said the creation of a purpose-built nursing home would meet local health care needs.

"Independent analysis has shown there is a local shortfall of 146 nursing home beds," she said.

"The proposed plans are for a well designed and thoughtfully landscaped new nursing home with ample parking and low-level lighting as opposed to flood lights.

"In essence we will be operating as a 'good neighbour.'"

The application will be considered by the city council's planning committee tomorrow evening.