A BID to build a housing estate on the site of a Worcester factory moved a step nearer when planning officers gave their backing.

Plans to build 43 houses - a mix of terraced, semi and detached properties - on the Faithful Overalls site, Northwick Road, have been recommended for approval by officers.

Worcester City Council planning committee will consider the application tomorrow.

Planning officer Vicki Bilton said: "This functioned as a manufacturing site over at least the last 50 years and has been operating in a neighbourly manner.

"Nevertheless, if Faithful were to close and the use were to be carried on by a less neighbourly industrial user, there is potential for significant disturbance to neighbours.

"The site is not designated protected employment land on that basis I have no objection to residential use."

The plans are for a 43-property housing estate on the 1.15-hectare site on the corner of Northwick Road and Eastbank Drive.

Six houses would be terraced, 16 would be semis and the remaining 21 detached. Twelve of the properties would also be for social housing.

Access to the homes would be by a new main road off Eastbank Drive and important trees - including a beech, crab apple and a black Italian poplar - would be preserved.

Some neighbours have complained about the access plans and potential traffic and parking problems, the loss of local jobs and business, the density of development and noise during the building work.

The council's economic development committee raised concerns over the loss of employment land - but did not formally object. because it is not designated for business use.

If the development does go ahead, it is likely to consist of two-storey houses to avoid over-looking existing properties.