PLANS for a new Worcester City FC stadium are being held up because of a massive study into congestion around Perdiswell, it has emerged.

There were hopes long-awaited proposals for a 4,130-capacity ground, which were first handed to Worcester City Council back in April, would be well on the way to being considered by planners by now.

But your Worcester News can reveal how city planning chiefs have insisted they will only look at it once an independent study into traffic levels and transport has been completed around the area.

Tensions are running high around Perdiswell, with campaigners polling 1,000 nearby households and revealing 82 per cent were against the plan earlier this year.

The decision by council chiefs to back plans for a new £10.4 million pound swimming pool on the site of Perdiswell Leisure Centre has added to resident's concerns, as the stadium would be on the nearby fields.

Worcester City FC Supporters' Trust, which has drawn up the ground plans, says it wants to give the application "the best chance of success".

The trust has commissioned a third party to do the study, which is expected to be complete in weeks rather than months.

Rob Crean, the trust secretary, said: "With such a major application we want it to be as robust as possible to give it the best chance of success.

"We submitted it back in April and at the time, the council's planners said they needed some more information before they were prepared to look at it.

"There are bundles of reports we've already done but this is the last thing we are waiting on.

"Since the club managed to get out of the St Modwen contract they've been very closely involved with us, it's a joint scheme between us and the club and we want to give it the best chance of success."

Worcester City FC are currently exiled at Kidderminster Harriers' Aggborough ground after leaving their former home at St George's Lane last year.

The application is for a 4,130 capacity stadium, including a 500-seater main

stand, 3G pitch for community use, three full-size grass pitches, two nine-aside fields, and conference or classroom facilities.

The campaign group Protect Perdiswell Park, which is active on Facebook, launched the poll and wants the ground to be elsewhere.

Tom Morris, 41, of Drovers Way, said: "We will be objecting in the strongest possible terms, we don't want it here."