A UNIQUE planning application to build a new convenience shop in the car park of a Worcester pub is open for comments.

Plans have been submitted to build a new 325 square metre Co-Operative store in the car park of the Goodrest Tavern in Barker Street, with the loss of 26 of the pub’s 58 car parking spaces.

The £1 million scheme by landlords NewRiver Retail, who bought 202 pubs from brewer Marston’s in December 2013 with the intention of using surplus space such as car parks, is thought to be the first of its kind in the country.

In a document setting out the scheme, planning agents Peter Brett Associates said the application would create about 20 new jobs, along with 10 temporary construction jobs while building work is underway.

“The scheme will make an efficient use of an existing under used site within an established residential and commercial area," it read.

“The construction of the new store will improve local retail facilities and allow for increased choice and competition.”

But the plans have not been without controversy – in a letter to the council’s planning department Roger Morris of nearby Belmont Street said he was firmly against the application for a number of reasons.

“(The loss of parking spaces) would create major problems when the Goodrest invites the general public to hold events at the premises as there are times when there have been thirty vehicles to a funeral event," he said.

“Also the parking in Barker Street is now of epic proportions due to further restrictions at the Rainbow Hill end of Belmont Street and Mayfield Road, which has double yellow lines on both sides running its whole length.

“This is causing people without their own driveway to park in Barker Street adding to congestion.”

He added he believed there were enough shops in the nearby area to serve the community, and he was concerned the new store would create noise early in the morning and late at night.

“I also feel that noise levels from delivery vehicles on a daily basis would become rather annoying," he said.

“There is also the noise from large vehicles and possibly machinery while the erection of this store is in progress.

“Of course we then cannot rule out the possibility of parking restrictions within Barker Street forcing people to park in other areas which could be hundreds of yards from where they live.”

To view the plans visit the planning portal on www. worcester.gov.uk and search for application P14H0594.

Comments can be made on the plans until Thursday, February 12 and the application is expected to have been decided by Monday, February 23.