Worcestershire's council, planning and politics stories of 2023

The year got off to an exciting start when the council revealed a new walking and cycling route as the first part of its multi-million-pound transformation of the city’s Shrub Hill area.

The route was through the heart of the Shrub Hill Industrial Estate between Shrub Hill railway station and St Martin’s Quarter and would run between the bus depot and retail park through Cromwell Street and across the canal towards Shrub Hill station, instead of via Padmore Street towards Lowesmoor.

It was part of plans by Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council to improve Shrub Hill including a move to create a new ‘gateway’ plaza in front of the station.

With the ownership of some of the land up for question, council bosses said they would move to use ‘compulsory purchase orders’ – which would allow the city council to buy part of the land at the First Bus depot and Shrub Hill Retail Park without the consent of its owners – to build the new route if necessary.

The plans were later agreed by councillors. 

The boundary of the Shrub Hill project (yellow) with the Shrub Hill Industrial Estate (in purple) which was bought by Worcestershire County Council in 2021 and the Shrub Hill Retail Park (in red) (Image: Worcester City Council) (Image: Worcester City Council)

FULL STORY: New city centre route latest part of Shrub Hill redevelopment

Also put forward was a plan to build up to ten new homes on the site of a former chicken farm in Martin Hussingtree near Worcester as part of plans by Brendan Joyce. The overgrown five-acre site off the village’s Drury Lane is classed as green belt and currently houses eight agricultural buildings, in various states of disrepair, which were previously used as chicken hatcheries and for poultry production.

FEBRUARY

In a ruling that would turn out to be controversial, a plan for a bigger extension on a controversial home in Worcester was turned down by the council.

Councillors had agreed to an extension to add an extra room to an existing five-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) in Martley Road despite calling it  “absolutely monstrous, hideous and ugly.”

But landlords Bidsid almost immediately went back to Worcester City Council with a new plan to build an extra bedroom. The city council said this plan, on the home on the corner of Martley Road and Fern Road, failed to provide enough outdoor space.

Full story: Ruling on whether extension can be built at 'hideous' Worcester home

The developer later turned to the government’s planning inspector, which has the power to overrule the city council, in a bid to get the decision reversed. However, the appeal was dismissed. 

REJECTED: The home in Martley Road in Worcester described as 'ugly and monstrous' by councillors (Image: Google Maps) (Image: Google Maps)

Also this month, the city council said it was going to sell part of one of the city centre’s busiest car parks to help a restaurant build an extension.

Italian restaurant Benedicto’s in Sidbury, Worcester, wanted to buy a chunk of land at the neighbouring King Street car park to build a two-storey extension.

The council said it would be willing to sell the land but only if it was compensated for the loss of income “as a minimum".

SALE: King Street car park in Sidbury (Image: Google Maps)

Full story: Council to sell part of car park to make way for bigger restaurant

Also in February, Worcester City Council cut ties with the operator of its car park payment machines after hundreds of drivers were overcharged.

Bosses at Worcester City Council have informed Flowbird, which runs the machines on its behalf, that it has terminated its deal after a string of problems including the previous year's glitch which resulted in almost £400,000 being taken in error from more than 15,000 sessions at the 14 council-owned car parks across the city.

This meant more than 1,500 drivers were overcharged for parking with some seeing hundreds of pounds taken from their bank accounts after being charged multiple times.

Full story: Council ditches car park provider after overcharging nightmare

MARCH

In March, fed-up Cranham Court residents contacted their local councillor after being plagued by loutish behaviour. They said among the problems they'd suffered was litter in the car park, people jumping off flat stairwells, youths 'joyriding' in a stolen fold-up wheelchair last October and a couple having 'noisy sex' in the communal area as well as youngsters climbing on sheds.

Warndon city councillor Jill Desayrah had agreed to press for action so they could have fencing like that at Sheepscombe Drive and Randwick Drive.Where are fences to stop couples having sex in our garden? (Image: James Connell/Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

Whereas in Fernhill Heath, residents clubbed together to buy 22 acres of land for a community open space and also to prevent developers from building houses on the land.

Bull Meadow - located just off the A38 before driving into Fernhill Heath - was originally agricultural land before it was taken over by residents.

This land is designated for public use and has been purchased to protect the 22 acres.

Residents donated money while Claines Parish Council also paid a large sum towards the purchase as well as applied for grants.

The full total raised is believed to have cost in the hundreds of thousands of pounds though a precise figure has not been revealed.

Cllr Megan Farmer, Centre, is overjoyed with the project. (Image: Megan Farmer) (Image: Newsquest)

APRIL

Plans for a new Costa Coffee Drive Thru on the outskirts of the city were branded 'utter madness' in April.

A rough layout of what the new Costa Coffee Drive Thru may look like. (Image: Benson Signs) (Image: Newsquest)

People objecting to the plans for a drive-through coffee shop in Powick were worried there would be an increase in crashes if it was given the green light. Plans were for a drive-thru coffee shop on Malvern Road on vacant land next to the Crown Inn Pub.

Full story: Costa Coffee drive-thru plans revealed

A plan to build new homes in a village was put forward just weeks after a 150-home plan on the same land was turned down.

Malvern Hills District Council initially refused a move which would have seen 150 homes built in Kempsey near Worcester following an outcry from villagers. But the plan was submitted again in April.

Full story: New plan for Kempsey weeks after 150 homes refused

SITE: The land off the A38 in Kemspey near Worcester where a plan to build 150 homes was rejected by the council but now a plan to build 140 homes on the same land has emerged (Image: Google Maps) (Image: Newsquest)

A plan to turn one of the county’s finest mansions into a new venue has been met with suspicion by residents in a ‘sleepy’ village who feel a late-night music and alcohol move would stop them from sleeping.

The request for a late-night alcohol and live music licence was part of plans by Ombersley Court owners to turn the 300-year-old country house into a new private-hire venue that would be able to sell alcohol until midnight and stay open and play live and recorded music until 1am every day.

Councillors agreed to the request in April.

Concerns mostly centred around noise in the peaceful village. 

MAY

In May, the cash-strapped city council considered charging for entry to the annual Worcester Show to boost funds.

Worcester City Council revealed the plan to introduce an entry fee for the family-friendly, free Worcester Show as one way of helping with its worrying budget issues.

The event, which is held every August at the city’s Pitchcroft Racecourse, attracts 10,000 visitors and includes everything from market stalls to flower and vegetable competitions, live music and performances, dog shows and sports.

The plan was a suggestion to fill a growing gap in its budget after a £1.7m gap in its books had to be filled by using reserves.

In the end, visitors to the show were asked to give a donation instead. 

Full story: Cash-strapped council may charge entry fee

JUNE

In June, it was agreed that more than 50 homes would be built in a village after the council’s rejection was overturned by a government inspector.

Malvern Hills District Council turned down a plan to build 52 homes in Martley near Worcester last year but a government inspector said it could go ahead after overruling council planners.

The plan by Jessup Brothers and Citizen Housing will now see new homes allowed to be built as well alongside ten self-build plots and space for a new GP surgery.

A new 30-space car park for Martley’s village hall was also included in the plans.

Full story: 52 homes built in Martley near Worcester council overruled 

PLAN: The fields off the B4197 in Martley where 52 new homes will be built (Image: Google Maps) (Image: Newsquest)

THE latest stage of a huge development to extend the city by building thousands of new homes was also discussed by council planners.

Decisions on two plans to build up to 130 homes and add two more units to a business park on a parcel of land between Taylor’s Lane and the A4440 Southern Link Road around the edge of Worcester had to be made by councillors in Malvern - who have jurisdiction for the land. 

The developer St Modwen already had permission to build up to 255 homes and was moving ahead with the second phase of its plans.

The two units were to be added to the five already approved for the Broomhall Business Park, a ‘prime’ location with easy links to the M5.

The report by the council’s planners said the development contract was expected to be in excess of £7 million and bring 95 new jobs once finished. 

Full story: Decision due on latest part of huge 2,600-home plan for edge of Worcester