THE chairman of a residents' group has hit out at Worcester City Council - accusing it of "wasting taxpayers' money" over the old Sansome Walk swimming pool.

Arboretum Residents Association says the squabble between rival political parties over the site's future is frustrating residents.

It comes with the land's future still up in the air, despite the Labour cabinet agreeing on Tuesday night that the building can be demolished.

Labour councillors have been pushing for the site to become a housing plot, something strongly backed by the residents group.

But several Conservatives say the association does not speak for everyone, and have suggested it could be a public car park and green open space instead.

The disagreement has led to the in-house scrutiny committee triggering a 'call in' mechanism once to debate it, leading to one month-long delay.

The Labour cabinet has now agreed to approve the demolition and asked officers to do an appraisal of the possible options for the land, but has refused to delete references to housing being an option, effectively over-ruling the scrutiny committee.

The difference in view led to residents packing into a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to voice concern.

Jane Moorhouse, the residents association chair, said: "Residents do not want a pay and display car park - in our view it would only add to pollution and congestion in the area.

"The overwhelming demand from residents is for housing on that site.

"For the last three years you've been 'looking at options' - to do so again would waste taxpayers' money.

"It's our belief that you've waited too long to make any decision at all, please don't make it go on for any longer than it has to."

She added: "Please don't fob us off any longer with options and consultations, we know what we want, we've told you that, we just want you to do it."

During the debate Labour Councillor Joy Squires, the deputy leader, blamed the Conservatives for trying to "derail" her party's hopes of it being a housing plot.

"I share the frustration expressed by Jane Moorhouse that it's taken as long as it has to get to this stage," she said.

"Progress was made by the last Labour administration (in 2013/14) but that track, if you like, was derailed by a change in administration (to Tory rule in 2014) and we then had a game of cat and mouse on whether it was likely to be a pay and display car park or not.

"It's a huge site, and whatever happens will have a big impact on local residents, whatever development it is."

She urged councillors to make note of the fact is already earmarked for housing in the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP), and "grasp" the chance to back what residents want.

But Councillor Marc Bayliss, Tory group leader, said his own postbag led him to believe the residents' group "does not speak for everyone in the Arboretum", insisting the option of a green space and car park needs to be properly explored.

He also said the SWDP - which he took a key role in creating - must be viewed as a flexible document.

He pointed to the Arboretum already being "one of the most densely populated areas of the city", something the scrutiny committee cited earlier this month.

"The residents association does not speak for all of the residents, that's quite clear from my postbag," he said.

Earlier this week we revealed how 600-plus people have signed a petition calling for the site to become a skate park, something Cllr Bayliss also referred to.

The pool demolition is now expected to take place in the coming weeks.

It closed two weeks ago due to the new £10.5 million swimming pool facility opening at Perdiswell Leisure Centre, in Bilford Road.