MASTER planners who are developing a vision for the University of Worcester’s Grove Farm site have met people to discuss their ideas.

Representatives from the university and master planners ADP addressed a meeting about some of the current options for the layout of the site.

The university is looking to develop new enterprise, science, sport and environmental facilities on the 47-acre site in St John’s, which will create hundreds of jobs as well as increase the education and employment opportunities for the university’s students.

The new University Park could incorporate research laboratories, an indoor sports complex and playing fields, plus a business/science park, incorporating offices and commercial premises connected to the university’s work in enterprise and science.

It could also be the site of a new Worcestershire County Council-run park and ride.

The meeting, which is part of an ongoing consultation, gave residents an update of current ideas for the layout of the site and a chance to ask questions and have an input into the plans.

Dr Martin Doughty, pro-vice-chancellor (resources), said: “It was a successful meeting. We want to involve residents throughout this process and, although we are still in the very early stages of planning what to do with the site, we wanted to keep residents informed and get their views.”

Members of the Grove Farm Residents Voice (GFRV) action group, who have previously fought against development on the site, still have mixed views about the university plans.

Mike and Jayne Reynolds, of Meadowbank Drive in St John’s hope that talks between the university and the community will continue.

In an e-mail to your Worcester News they said: “While we would prefer that the land should be left undeveloped, we have to accept that the university owns it and wishes to develop it.

“That being the case, we are happy with the way in which the university is going about the task in hand.

“It has engaged with the community at the earliest opportunity and has presented ideas in a way which enables the community to contribute to its development.”

Fellow GFRV member Leesa Laird said: “Although the university is far more happy to meet than Tesco ever was, it is unable to offer any answers regarding a possible park and ride site next to houses in Meadowbank Drive, or a possible health premises, or even who the commercial partners will be.

“Hopefully, it will be consulting on these plans in the future.”

The land at Grove Farm already has outline planning permission for a business park.

The university development, if given the green light, is expected to plough millions of pounds into the regional economy over the next 15 to 20 years.