THE delay in the outcome of the public inquiry into the ambitious Abbey Stadium development is "extremely frustrating" now the integral Bordesley bypass plans have been approved, says a Redditch councillor.

Conservative leader Carole Gandy says while she is pleased that plans for the bypass were agreed it is a pity a decision on the Abbey Stadium will not be announced until May.

Last Tuesday, Worcestershire county councillors gave their unanimous support to the £10.7 million bypass, which will serve the proposed leisure development.

Mrs Gandy said: "I am very pleased about the decision made on the Bordesley bypass because the Abbey Stadium development depends on it.

"However it is extremely frustrating that the outcome of the Abbey Stadium public inquiry has now been postponed from March until May," she said.

"People must be wondering what is going on. I am not quite sure why the outcome of the public inquiry has been delayed, maybe it is because they were waiting for a definite decision to be made on the bypass.

However, she added: "I am hopeful that now we have a agreed to the bypass it will encourage the Secretary of State to make a decision about the development in our favour."

Mrs Gandy also said she looked forward to the proposed leisure development and the "immense opportunities" it would create in Redditch.

Council leader Phil Mould agreed he was pleased the plans for the bypass had been approved.