RESIDENTS are being reassured that work has not started on controversial plans to build student accommodation in St John’s.

Developer New Venture Housing wants to demolish St Clement’s Church Hall, in Henwick Road, and replace it with a block of 54 student flats.

But the plans have not proved popular locally, with nearly 100 residents meeting to oppose the proposal in the summer and dozens lodging their objections with Worcester City Council.

Activity on the site this week had some residents worried that work had started prematurely as planning permission has not been granted.

But St John’s councillor Richard Udall said the workers seen on site are archaeologists carrying out a site inspection.

READ MORE: Anger over plans to demolish St Clement's Church Hall to build student flats

They will report their findings to the city council before any decision is taken by the planning committee.

Cllr Udall said: “This is a controversial application, many residents have expressed their concerns.

“They really do need to write to the city council and formally object. The application has already attracted a lot of comments but we need as many people as possible to express their view.

“The application is clearly not supported locally and would have a serious detrimental impact on the local area. The members of the planning committee need to hear the concerns of local people and to understand their objections.

St Clement's Church Hall 'should be community space'

“We can defeat this irresponsible application if we mobilise and object.”

Formally objecting to the plans, fellow St John’s councillor Matt Lamb said the property should be used as a community space and expressed concern that the size of the development would cause stress for the site’s elderly neighbours.

“I am concerned about the development of student accommodation so close to a settled and established community mainly made up of elderly residents,” he said.

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“There is the potential for anti-social behaviour and noise pollution, which will be detrimental to the established residents.”

Among the objections submitted to city planners is a petition signed by the residents of Dancox House, a sheltered housing scheme for vulnerable people that overlooks St Clement’s Church Hall.

Other objections point out a lack of parking spaces included in the proposal, expressing concern that this would create further parking problems in neighbouring roads.