PLANS to develop Worcester's Ronkswood Hospital site for an industrial and retail park have been withdrawn after criticism that it did not provide enough jobs.

Worcester City Council planning officers recommended councillors to refuse Robert Hitchins Ltd's proposals for the 16-acre site, which included a petrol station, childcare nursery, health and fitness centre, doctor's surgery and a vets.

The withdrawal comes three days before the planning committee was due to decide the application's fate.

As the city's second largest brownfield site earmarked for offices and industrial units - behind Tolladine Goods Yard - it was of "fundamental importance", said the city's director of development services, Stuart McNidder.

Shortfall

The plans submitted by Robert Hitchins for consideration on Thursday would have used only 60 per cent of the site for employment.

"This balance is not acceptable and would result in a shortfall of employment land on this site, which would need to be provided elsewhere," Mr McNidder said.

Parcels of the city's greenfield land would have to be taken to make up the shortfall on the former hospital site.

Last year, concerned families said bored youngsters had been regularly climbing into the grounds, vacated the new Worcestershire Royal Hospital opened.

Residents of nearby Ripon Road urged the developer - which has permission to build 35 houses in the eastern side of the site - to push forward its plans after a fire destroyed an asbestos-clad building.