A DEVELOPMENT to include shops and houses could be created on waste ground in the town centre after a deal was struck between Redditch Council and Railtrack Property, writes Becky Procter.

The land at Hewell Road has been up for sale for more than 10 years but councillors have agreed to push for it to be developed to bring it in line with the rest of the town.

The Kingfisher Centre is currently undergoing a £60 million revamp, a mixed use development is to be created on the former Alcad site in Smallwood and a £40 million sports, leisure and entertainment facility is planned on the site of Abbey Stadium.

Councillor David Cartwright said: "As far as planning is concerned, the land could be used for housing and retail and we are hoping someone will put in a bid for a mixed use development.

"The council owns part of the land and Railtrack Property owns the rest and the idea has always been to jointly dispose of the ground because we will get more money and a better development."

The land, which is to be sold off, includes a piece of gravel-pit ground used by scores of motorists as a car park.

Mr Cartwright said: "The council has wanted to get rid of it for a long time but Railtrack property did not know what it wanted to do.

"But it has now said it wants to get rid of it so perhaps this development will happen.

"The council wants to see something done there because it's just scrub land and it isn't used for anything."