THERE are "no concrete plans" to redevelop Worcester Racecourse into a top sporting venue.

Despite receiving a tongue-lashing from a leading racing journalist, Arena Leisure says the redevelopment programme at Pitchcroft is on hold.

The racecourse was criticised for its lacklustre grandstand and other facilities by The Times racing journalist and self-proclaimed "course inspector" Alan Lee.

But promises to redesign the sports venue after criticism in 2000 have still not materialised.

In August 2000, when the Jockeys Association rated the racecourse as "poor", plans for a £12m redevelopment were touted.

These included new jockey facilities, including a sauna, more showers and separate parking, as well as a new grandstand, stable staff accommodation and a hotel complex all within two years.

But due to the current grandstand being on a red zone flood plain, no planning permission can be secured for residential plans.

Arena Leisure said it did not want to "drag up the mud" by responding to The Times criticisms as "it's not going to do Worcester any favours".

"There are no concrete plans for any developments at the moment," said a spokeswoman for the company, which took over the management of the racecourse from Worcester City Council in March 2000.

The previous plans have been thwarted by planning regulations. The grandstand is on a flood plain and the opposite side of the racecourse is close to the Britannia Square Conservation Area.

The leisure group owns five other racecourses across England - Folkestone, Lingfield Park, Southwell, Royal Windsor and Wolverhampton.

Mr Lee pointed out the lack of facilities, including the catering in the Tattersalls area.

"There are no facilities here but the alternative is a grandstand where the aim seems to be cramming in as many as possible whose sole ambition is to drink all day," said Mr Lee.