THE controversial, derelict Worcestershire Hotel could be transformed into nearly 100 new apartments if plans to develop the area are given the green light by planning chiefs.

Wychavon District Council has received an application from George Wimpey to demolish the 19th Century building and create 96 two-bedroom apartments.

The properties will appeal to a variety of people but it is thought mainly young couples or single people who want to live and work in Droitwich Spa will be most attracted to them.

The site, which is owned by the Impney Hotels group, has been closed for more than 15 years and sits on more than two acres of land, in St Andrew's Road.

In the 1800s two houses used to occupy the site until the owner went bankrupt and John Corbett, who owned the well-known Chateau Impney, purchased the land and built the hotel in 1891.

Its main purpose was to provide accommodation for those using St Andrew's Brine Baths opposite.

The area was recently earmarked on the district's draft Local Plan as an area where around 80 dwellings could be built.

The plan highlights sites which could be used for development until 2011.

Speaking to the Advertiser this week, George Wimpey's design manager, Phil Radford said: "The site itself was once home to the Worcestershire Hotel, which in its heyday was quite a magnet for the town, but over recent years since it was closed it has become more and more of an eyesore, particularly for local residents.

Community

"George Wimpy has worked closely with the council in recent months, particularly their conservation officer, to make sure that our application was going to be acceptable both to the authorities themselves, and to the Droitwich Spa community."

The application, which was submitted to the district council last Friday, shows how the architecture of the new building would be similar to that of other properties in the Spa including Lloyds TSB, in Victoria Square, which has red brick and stone work.

Mr Radford explained that although the company plan to demolish the building, certain aspects will be retained if possible.

He added: "Much detail has already gone into the planning stage - for example, we hope to retain the beautifully crafted Bell Tower from the hotel and resite it as a focal point within the landscaped grounds of the apartments.

"We have also made sure that we retain the majority of the trees on the existing perimeter of the site, giving us a ready-made feeling of maturity for the new homes."

One of Impney Hotels' directors, Robin Carr, spoke to the Advertiser about the proposed plans.

He said: "George Wimpey does have an option to purchase the property.

"For some time now people have been asking what is going to be done with the site and we are glad to be able to help the council by giving Wimpey this option."

Wychavon District Council's principle area planning officer, Mike Hurst said: "We have been in talks with George Wimpey and have explained what we would like to see happen to the site.

"The plans will soon be up in Droitwich's One Stop Shop, in High Street, and we would obviously welcome the public's opinion on the proposed development before it comes up at a planning meeting in the next couple of months."

Leader of the opposition group on Wychavon District Council, Cllr Roy Seabourne (Lab -Droit.West), said:"I think the development of the prominent town centre site is long overdue.

"I am delighted that the proposed development will be two-bedroom apartments as there is a great demand for this in the Spa."

Droitwich Spa Civic Society was due to meet with Phil Radford yesterday afternoon to discuss the plans with him.

Speaking before the meeting, society chairman Stuart Haywood said: "The society would like to see a good quality building built if the plans were given the go-ahead.

"Other than that we will reserve our judgement until after the meeting where we will get the opportunity to take a look at the plans in detail."

It is hoped the plans will be in the One Stop Shop by Friday.