UP to 13 plush new apartments will be developed along a Worcester city centre street - despite concerns over flooding in the area.

Flooding is such a problem in Sansome Place it starts to become noticeable even on a rainy day, according to the deputy leader of the city council. He wants Severn Trent to provide "written confirmation" that the area will be able to cope once the apartments have been developed.

The city council planning committee has approved the project, which is for five two-bed and eight one-bed apartments, along with the demolition of a nearby vacant car repair workshop.

Deputy leader Coun Barry Mackenzie-Williams said: "It seems to be a satisfactory development - but the only concern I have is that the area does, from time to time, flood.

"The problem is that is doesn't just need flash floods - all it needs is a fair bit of rain on the surface."

The city council is more wary about new residential developments following the flash floods which caused havoc in the city a fortnight ago, when a month's rainfall fell in just 30 minutes.

As the Worcester News reported last week, scores of Worcester homes and businesses were ruined, which led to a call by Coun Mike Layland for Severn Trent to provide compensation for people affected by it.

There is a concern homebuyers will have genuine problems gaining insurance if the property is seen to be at risk.

Alan Coleman, head of planning, said Severn Trent had already been consulted for its opinion on the development, and the firm had "no objections". Coun Mackenzie-Williams said: "Is it not a duty, in light of recent events, to dig a little deeper? We should be saying to them, `can you confirm the system will cope'?"

Council officers will now enter into discussions with Severn Trent on the future flood risks in the area.

A spokesman for Severn Trent said: "We will give them any information they need based on what we know about the area. We cannot approve any development, of course, but we can give them information which they may take into account."