A MULTI-thousand pound development set to change the face of amateur boxing in Droitwich Spa has been given the green light.

Wychavon District Council planners last Thursday approved proposals to combine Droitwich Spa Amateur Boxing Club, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, with housing for people with mental health problems.

Evesham and Pershore Housing Association will develop the current Kidderminster Road site into a £850,000 three-tier complex with the boxing club on the ground floor and nine one-bedroom flats on the upper levels.

The site will also include a staff room, office, laundry and lounge as well as a fourth storey in the roof.

Old building

And work could begin as early as next month providing all legal and planning requirements are met.

Construction is estimated to take up to nine months, during which time the boxing club will have to train at an alternative venue.

Coach Chris Andrews is delighted with the news but will be sad to see the old building, the club's home since 1983, go.

He said: "It's brilliant to have a permanent place but it's going to be disruptive having a season away.

"The premises we have at the moment have real character and it's got a great feel about it which we will be sorry to lose, but they can't last forever and I am amazed how well they have stood up."

Andrews is currently negotiating a temporary premises for the club, which trains five nights a week, and hopes to have a deal in place shortly.

Part of the club's 25-year festivities included the annual presentation evening last Friday. Peter Luff MP handed out awards, which featured celebratory plaques and certificates for 17 boxers who have reached national semi-finals or boxed for England during the 25 years.

NEXT WEEK: A look back at 25 years of boxing in Droitwich Spa.