CONTROVERSIAL proposals for a Worcester firm to locate its new £5 million HQ on green land has been approved - in a shock u-turn.

Worcester City Council has allowed the Gtech bid in Warndon Villages to go ahead, sparking some of the angriest scenes seen in many years at the Guildhall today.

This afternoon the planning committee voted 9-2 to allow the company to erect a new 2,195-metre home on precious fields off Berkeley Way and Parsonage Way, despite a record 950 public objections and concern from Historic England.

The surprise decision sparked bitterly angry scenes, with members of the public yelling abuse at councillors, calling it "disgraceful" and "ridiculous" as the move was announced.

We can also reveal how the change of tack has even surprised the firm's boss, who revealed this evening how Gtech had already bought alternative premises in anticipation of it being refused.

Only last month the committee voted to be 'minded to refuse' the bid, a stance which was expected to be rubber-stamped today, booting it out for good.

But some councillors admitted they had changed their minds, whilst others were swayed after planning officers stuck to their view that the harm to the landscape did not "outweigh" the benefits of new jobs and economic growth.

In the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) the land itself is not earmarked for employment use, with campaigners arguing that accepting it would make a mockery of that entire blueprint.

But planning officer Alan Coleman, who recommended that it should be accepted, advised the councillors to consider Government guidance on the "presumption in favour of sustainable development".

"It's not a clear or straightforward decision, but whilst there is a clear impact on the heritage assets we still feel it's acceptable in planning terms," he said.

The new HQ will sit near Worcester's first ever brick constructed building, known as Warndon Court and the 900-year-old Grade I listed St Nicholas Church, with Historic England and local residents saying it would damage the setting.

But Gtech, which makes vacuum cleaners, power tools and other appliances, said the move would see the HQ house new research and storage facilities and create at least 80 more jobs initially.

Councillor Alan Feeney, who attended the meeting to object, said: "Job creation does not depend on this site, but the protection of green land and heritage assets does.

"This flies in the face of the entire fabric of the area, it's not about Gtech, it's about any development on that site.

"We are the trustees of Worcester - we have to ensure we have the right development in the right place, but this is the right development in the wrong place."

He urged councillors not to "hide behind bureaucracy" but most of them disagreed, siding with officers.

Councillor Geoff Williams, the committee's vice-chairman, said: "In my view, the key issue is balancing the harm to the heritage assets against the benefits."

He said the national guidance around a "presumption of sustainable development" was the "golden thread", citing the fact 80 per cent of the land would remain untouched.

He also said the "overriding" factor must be retaining a growing firm in the city and job creation, a view backed by Councillor Andy Stafford, who said: "We need to support businesses and job creation".

Councillor Mike Johnson said "this isn't rural, let's not kid ourselves" to cries of 'nonsense' and 'rubbish' in the public gallery.

Councillor Roger Berry said "you wouldn't believe we're at the same meeting" as in February, calling the general change of mood "disingenuous".

Both himself and Councillor Pat Agar voted against it, but it went through 9-2.

WE ARE 'IN DISBELIEF' - THE VERDICT FROM CAMPAIGNERS

AFTER the meeting, campaigners said they had been left "infuriated" by the decision - with all of them expecting it to be refused.

Rachel Pryke, a spokeswoman for the campaigners who lives in Warndon Villages, said: "This is an absolutely disgraceful decision and I just cannot understand why they have done this.

"The SWDP has only just been agreed and this was the first test of that - this has torn that document shreds."

Fellow campaigner Lisa Williams, 51, who also lives in Warndon Villages, said: "I am in a state of complete shock.

"It doesn't make any sense, especially after what they said in February. This is an utter disgrace, I feel let down and very angry."

Gtech has said it had assessed every single patch of available land in the city and considered this the best one to build on.

The firm is based in Cupola Court, Spetchley inside cramped offices and is eager to expand.

Nick Grey, its owner, said today: "This has come as a surprise.

"The councillors were firmly against the Berkeley Way scheme a month ago, although I would like to say how grateful I am for their support.

"A month ago it was a very different picture and we have actually just purchased another premises in Brindley Road, Warndon.

"It’s a great relief for the staff at Gtech who now know for sure that we can stay in Worcester.

"In terms of the Berkeley Way site, I’ll talk with the team at Gtech to discuss what we do next."