THE University of Worcester has defended its bid to develop a major new complex in the city - saying "the vast majority" of students will not drive.

Professor David Green, the vice-chancellor, has rejected concerns the 'University Court' project will add to congestion.

He has also revealed how the university is committed to fresh talks with council chiefs over establishing more cycling and walking paths to compliment the big development.

It comes as this newspaper obtained more details on the University Court complex, set for acres of farmland off Oldbury Road.

The university wants the site to cater for 700 students initially, but has intentions to double that to eventually house 1,400 pupils, subject to planning permission.

Professor Green has also defended the university's track record in helping ease congestion in Worcester, and criticised council chiefs for taking "the cheap option" over the Croft Road pedestrian crossing.

Yesterday residents living in St John's said congestion was their main concern.

Professor Green said: "The purpose of consulting with local residents is to listen carefully to all concerns.

"The great majority of students who are in halls of residence will not use cars to travel around Worcester - we have extensive experience of this.

"We are very keen to work with Malvern Hills Council and Worcester City Council to develop walking and cycling routes.

"Some years ago it was the university who paid for the walking and cycling path to be put on top of the bund outside the Worcester News' office, and to widen the pedestrian and cycling path around the racecourse which links Croft Road with our city campus.

"We also paid a contribution towards a pedestrian crossing at Croft Road. and were promised a light-controlled pedestrian crossing but instead a cheaper zebra crossing was installed.

"The university is very concerned to promote road safety."

He also insisted the proposals for University Court include establishing a "really effective network" of cycling, walking and wheelchair-friendly paths.

"We were delighted when, after several years campaigning the county council agreed to install, using funds provided by the university, a Pelican light crossing at the corner of Hylton Road and Henwick Road," he added.

"In terms of (University Court) we very much hope to work with Worcester and Malvern Hills' district councils to design a really effective network of cycling, walking and wheeling paths to connect the new development with both Worcester and Hallow."

The university, rated the second greenest in Britain, wants to hand council chiefs an outline planning application this autumn following the two public consultation events.

Some people living in St John's say they are concerned about all the development on the west side of the city.

This map shows where it will sit in relation to a 2,150-home 'super village' set for land straddling the A44 Bromyard Road, and 47 acres of land known as Grove Farm near the A4440, which the university bought from Tesco in 2009 and still intends to develop at some point.

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