I WAS both astounded and dismayed to learn the details of the proposed new Worcester City Football Club ground in conjunction with B&Q.

The proposed new site appears to represent less the requirements of WCFC and more the desire for a B&Q-owned retail park, that I am told will cover 250,000 square feet. This is apparently larger than the current Worcester City main shopping area.

I am not against the provision of a new site for the football club. My concern is, firstly, will the council be taking into consideration the feeling of local residents who would undoubtedly be greatly affected should the plans be passed?

Also, will they be able to overcome their previous short-sightedness with regard to providing adequate parking facilities? Think of the new hospital. Secondly, as a local business retailer, we occupy four sites within Worcester. This has come about because we were not given permission to expand just one.

It is, therefore, difficult not to feel short-changed when the council seems so ready to accommodate the "big" retail players, even when Green Belts are in place.

I feel sure that these sentiments will be shared by other local businessmen and ask the council to consider these points and look at the bigger picture.

After all, an inevitable knock-on effect is the decline of the small/independent business, which re-invests in the area.

RON SMITH,

Worcester.