AMBITIOUS plans for a £50m retail and leisure complex in Worcester have been backed by Worcester City Council.

The planning committee welcomed the proposals to regenerate Lowesmoor Trading Estate, which was the home of Hill, Evans & Co vinegar works for 138 years.

But at last night's meeting members urged the developer to reconsider its plans to demolish the old Fermenting House.

Some buildings, including two that are listed, connected to the vinegar works and other industries that operated on the site, are to be retained and restored.

However, the developer, CR Chelverton, said it was necessary to demolish the Fermenting House to allow sufficient parking and to prevent the main shopping complex being blocked from view.

But the council's principal conservation officer, Will Scott, said the building had played an important part in the vinegar-making process.

"The fermenting shed was the place where the vinegar was made and where the fumes came out from the top, and it is still in relatively good condition," he said.

"Conservation cannot be done without sources of investment and I appreciate the effort from the developer but I think that the number of eggs being broken does not justify the omelette," Mr Scott added.

Retained

Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck was among many committee members who agreed that the building should be retained.

"As a boy I remember the smells that used to come from it were out of this world.

"You knew you were in Worcester when you smelt it," he said.

Coun Mike Layland said the scheme was one of the most exciting projects the council had had to consider in a long time.

But he warned it should not make the same mistake as it made when it allowed the Lychgate to be demolished in the 1960s.

"Let's grasp the opportunity of regenerating this area but let's not fall into the trap in which we lose things forever," he said.

The planning committee has recommended that the full council approve the plans when it meets on Tuesday, June 24, but with a condition that the Fermenting House be retained.

AMBITIOUS plans for a £50m retail and leisure complex in Worcester have been backed by Worcester City Council.

The planning committee welcomed the proposals to regenerate Lowesmoor Trading Estate, which was the home of Hill, Evans & Co vinegar works for 138 years.

But at last night's meeting members urged the developer to reconsider its plans to demolish the old Fermenting House.

Some buildings, including two that are listed, connected to the vinegar works and other industries that operated on the site, are to be retained and restored.

However, the developer, CR Chelverton, said it was necessary to demolish the Fermenting House to allow sufficient parking and to prevent the main shopping complex being blocked from view.

But the council's principal conservation officer, Will Scott, said the building had played an important part in the vinegar-making process.

"The fermenting shed was the place where the vinegar was made and where the fumes came out from the top, and it is still in relatively good condition," he said.

"Conservation cannot be done without sources of investment and I appreciate the effort from the developer but I think that the number of eggs being broken does not justify the omelette," Mr Scott added.

Retained

Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck was among many committee members who agreed that the building should be retained.

"As a boy I remember the smells that used to come from it were out of this world.

"You knew you were in Worcester when you smelt it," he said.

Coun Mike Layland said the scheme was one of the most exciting projects the council had had to consider in a long time.

But he warned it should not make the same mistake as it made when it allowed the Lychgate to be demolished in the 1960s.

"Let's grasp the opportunity of regenerating this area but let's not fall into the trap in which we lose things forever," he said.

The planning committee has recommended that the full council approve the plans when it meets on Tuesday, June 24, but with a condition that the Fermenting House be retained.