CONTROVERSIAL plans are being drawn up for major development across Perdiswell - including up to 300 homes and a boating lake.

Worcester City Council is exploring a significant multi-million pound overhaul of acres of land it owns, including the mothballed former park and ride and sections of Perdiswell Park.

But the project, which has been discussed with councillors in private briefings, has already ran into opposition.

It could see swathes of land developed to include anywhere from 250 to 300 townhouses, some three storeys high, in a sprawling new estate.

Worcester News:

The revamp could also include a boating lake where the allotments currently are and see development on parts of Perdiswell Park and Neel Park.

The city council owns all the land from Perdiswell's old park and ride all the way to Nuffield Health off Droitwich Road, with the scheme potentially a huge money-spinner.

But the proposal comes despite the land not being earmarked for homes in the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).

Councillors sat in the private briefings have been asked for their views on the idea, with a 'masterplan' due to be created.

Some residents voiced their opposition to it yesterday, saying they would rather see the playing fields extended.

Lindsey Doyle, 51, of Beech Avenue, said: "The schools are bursting full and congestion is always bad around here - I don't think we need more homes."

Worcester News:

John Blackwell, 45, who lives in Droitwich Road, said: "Why not make the park and ride another park, or more allotments? Houses will create problems for everyone."

The opposition Conservative group say they will vote against any moves to try and designate it for homes.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Tory group leader, said: "We've told Labour this idea is a non-starter - as a group we do not believe this area should take more housing.

"Having 250 to 300 homes there is completely unnecessary, we don't want to lose any of our parks and this area is not in the SWDP."

Worcester News:

Labour Councillor Adrian Gregson, the city council's leader, said: "It's at a draft stage, and will be considered at the relevant point under the new committee system.

"There will be different elements to it, but it is still being worked up and the whole masterplan will need to be considered in the context of what's there now."

He added that with the new swimming pool, golfing facilities and possible football ground, Perdiswell needed a coherent document spelling out its future.

The masterplan is not due to be finalised until a decision is made over a new football stadium for Worcester City FC.

Tory parliamentary Robin Walker candidate yesterday insisted he only wanted the park and ride built on, saying it should become a new school for north Worcester - something backed by Claines Councillor Andy Stafford.

Perdiswell park and ride closed in September 2014 - at one point the bill for keeping it secure was costing taxpayers £3,000 a month.

But the city council also owns all the land right up to Nuffield Health including Perdiswell Young People's Leisure Club and Tenpin, the new Bowl Xtreme.