ONE of Worcester's best kept historical secrets - hidden in the back garden of a private house - is to be opened up to the public.

Until now the site where Catholic martyr The Venerable John Wall was hung, drawn and quartered in 1679 sat relatively unnoticed in the back garden of 4 Whittington Road, Worcester.

A memorial in his memory would only attract fleeting visitors from the Catholic community - largely because many people failed to realise it was there.

Ownership of the memorial was unclear as the city council only had a 'gentleman's agreement' that the owner of 4 Whittington Road look after it. Now Worcester City Council's planning committee has approved a plan to demolish the house next door - 4a - and replace it with four new houses and one bungalow.

In doing so, they approved a new access pathway to the back of number 4 to enable the public to visit the memorial.

After the meeting Coun Ian Imray, a practising Catholic, said he was delighted by the news.

"John Wall is very important in the lives of all Catholics and it is very important that he is remembered," said the councillor, who did not serve on this committee.

"It is great news there will now be permanent access to the site. Catholics everywhere will be grateful. I'm delighted. This isn't only good news for Catholics, but great for the whole city."

Colin Giles, of developers Manor Oak Properties, who submitted the application on behalf of the owner of 4 and 4a Whittington Road stressed the memorial was not yet open to the public.

"Public access to the memorial will only become valid when we have built a new pathway so people can walk to it," he said.

"That might not be for some months, but it will provide a direct link to the site."

A timetable will be created for when visitors can come and go, so access will not be unlimited.

The owner of the two properties was not available to comment.

Father Fitzpatrick of St George's Catholic Church said: "I welcome this news. It is an extremely important site for Catholics, and they, as well as the whole of Worcester will benefit.

"From the start this has been a case of everyone working together. The developers and the city council have been very sensitive to the site.

"This is also the site where Blessed Edward Oldcorne was hung, drawn and quartered on 7 April 1606 - almost 400 years ago. It's very significant."