A COLOSSAL 84 unit apartment complex on the banks of the River Severn has been approved by Worcester planners.

Chief planning officer Peter Yates urged committee members to approve the development on the Newport Street car park because land use restrictions meant the area was unsuitable for other plans.

As well as the 50 two-bedroomed apartments and 34 single bedroomed ones, the complex, which will sit on stilts - would include flood-proof basement parking and shop space.

The applicant, Neil Grinnall Homes, hopes to modernise the area with accommodation - even though part of the site is in the floodplain.

Despite ensuring the building remained level with the skyline, members were divided about the flat-roofed design, and the mix 'n' match use of building materials.

"We have got something here that Worcester can be proud of in the future," said Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck.

But others disagreed."I can't put my name on something like this - for the sake of the people of Worcester in the future," said Coun Rod Staines.

Appearance

Mr Yates said Worcester Civic Society was also pressing for changes to the building's appearance.

But the committee recognised the difficulties of redeveloping the land and the need for affordable housing in the city centre, and councillors' design concerns were outweighed.

Before any work can go ahead, the level of a patch of land on Grandstand Road, beside the Sabrina footbridge will have to be lowered to reduce expected flood levels in the plain.

As part of the deal, the applicant will provide 25 units of affordable residential properties for Worcester Community Housing. This will be built on the site of the old Labour Club on New Road.