A £850,000 redevelopment project is set to change the face of amateur boxing in Droitwich Spa.

Plans are in the pipeline to renovate the club's current building in Kidderminster Road, its home since 1983, to include boxing facilities and housing for people with mental health problems.

Proposals from the Evesham and Pershore Housing Association would see a two-tier complex with the boxing club on the ground floor and nine flats on the upper level.

The boxing club, which has seen national champions come through its ranks over the years, has been unable to secure a council lease since 1997 and head coach Chris Andrews, who founded the club 25 years ago, welcomes the move.

He said: "When we first got the building we were told it would give us 15 years but it has given us 20. It's a very fragile building. Having a brick shelter would be absolutely marvellous."

If planning permission is granted, construction work could begin in the summer, but would take nine months and leave the club temporarily homeless.

Andrews said Wychavon District Council would try and help the club find short term accommodation but he was looking at various other options.

The site has been chosen because it is close to the Community Health Team, who are based at the Covercroft Centre, in Ombersley Street East, so they can respond to individual residents' needs.

A similar, and successful, scheme has existed in Evesham for ten years. It is managed on a full-time basis by Re-think who provide housing management and tenant support.

Evesham and Pershore Housing Association press officer Rebecca Bailey said: "We work in the community, not just providing houses for those on a low income but generally supporting people for such a good cause as this.

"It will be of benefit to the boxing club to have a nice new building."

Letters have also been sent out informing nearby residents of the proposals while the town council has received leaflets outlining the redevelopment.

The proposals are due to be discussed by Droitwich Spa Town Council's planning committee in the near future.

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