MALVERN Hills District Council has decided to move its storage depot to the Enigma Business Park, against the wishes of many of the businesses there.

The new depot will be built at Pendragon Close and be used, among other things, to house refuse and maintenance vehicles, although it will not be used to store or process waste.

The plan has caused outrage among local businesses, who believe it is an inappropriate development for a high-tech business park and will deter visiting clients.

At a meeting of the district council's southern area development control committee, the concerns of Toastabags, Traplet Publications and Thermocoat were represented by solicitor Robert Jolly of Wall, James and Davies.

Mr Jolly described the depot as a "thinly disguised agricultural shed".

He said: "The plans show what is frankly an apology for landscaping."

Mr Jolly said his clients expected the business park to be developed to a high standard and added: "How does one square the high hopes and expectations with the reality of working next to a council depot?"

Coun Roger Hall-Jones said he felt the planned depot was not of the quality MHDC should demand.

"It ought to be exemplary and I feel it isn't," he said.

However, Coun David Houghton-Smith said that providing skips were not kept on the site and better landscaping was introduced, he felt the plans should be approved. This was carried by 15 votes.

The site of the former depot, at Pickersleigh Road, has been offered to South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust for a new health centre, on condition that the trust makes a commitment to a new hospital at Seaford Court.