EVESHAM Marina's owner has lashed out at Wychavon planners after councillors rejected plans for a £1m redevelopment.

Tom Smith, of Wakering Engineering Company, said councillors were not given the correct information when plans for a single-storey office building, workshop building and other service units, along with more than 70 parking spaces at the Kings Road site, were discussed.

The development would not only safeguard the jobs of the existing employees, but create a further 24 new positions.

Mr Smith said the planning department had not informed the councillors properly when they refused planning permission.

He said: "They referred to the retail units as shops. They are not shops, they are only going to house service industries to the river.

"We would not sell a single thing on this site that could be bought in Evesham. We would not be selling groceries."

"If the councillors had the correct information on the units, the recommendation for refusal would've been overturned."

He dismissed claims the development would cause traffic chaos in Kings Road and Lichfield Road, as the council had already approved plans for a new marina basin.

"I believe that if this development went ahead, it would bring several hundred thousand pounds a year into Evesham's purse.

"I want to turn it into something that Evesham will be proud of."

He also said that he would meet with his agent and planning officers to try and get the plans resubmitted for the next meeting.

Evesham councillor John Smith said: "I can't see what's wrong with this. The River Avon is Evesham's jewel in the crown and the councils don't do enough to promote it.

"If we are going to have a facility like this in the town, that's where we want it."

But councillor Malcolm Meikle disagreed, arguing that the development may jeopardise future plans for Port Street.

He said: "If we are going to allow a lot of shops on this site, then we might as well forget about Port Street. I do believe the shops already at Twyford have had an adverse effect on Evesham. I say beware."

Head of planning Jack Hegarty said: "If you allow it, that could be any form of retail. We are opening the floodgates for future development."