EVESHAM town councillors are making a last ditch attempt to retrieve the town's magistrates court.

At a meeting on Monday (9) they criticised a consultation document from the Magistrate's Court Committee, running alongside planning applications relating to the future use of the building.

Councillor Frances Smith said: "Planning applications should not be anywhere at the moment. This consultation document has come far too late. We should say a very strong "NO" to the removal of the magistrates court."

Coun Steve Selby said: "Evesham magistrates court is supposed to be for local justice to be metered out. How can people get from Pebworth or Broadway to Worcester in time for the start of court sessions?"

Coun Mike Worral said: "We have got to be leaders here and say 'no' the court does not close."

Councillors resolved to write to the Magistrates Court Committee insisting that Evesham court is open again for business, with a copy to be sent to the Lord Chancellor's office.

The court was closed for local business in March, but the court rooms have continued to be used for cases from Redditch, while that court is being refurbished.

Councillor John Smith, who is also chairman of Wychavon District Council, and a county councillor has already to written Rob Sykes, Worcestershire chief executive reminding him there was unanimous opposition to closure in 1977, upheld by the Lord Chancellor.

"The consultation document indicates circumstances have changed as the courthouse has potential alternative use," he said. "This I believe, is not the point, nor is it a case for closure."

He said it was another service being relocated from Evesham, and the residents of town and the surrounding areas would suffer. He added that the reduced workload in Evesham was deliberately planned.

Meanwhile, West Mercia Constabulary, is seeking consent from Wychavon District Council, which has already agreed in principle to the conversion of the Abbey Road premises

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into a giant one-stop shop, taking in as many services as possible under one roof.

This plan has also been opposed by a number of parish councils who say the site is unacceptable because it is too far from the town centre.

Nick Jones, the Justices Chief executive of the West Mercia Magistrates Court Services said: "The deadline for consultation is October and we are still happy to receive comments." He added, however that an appeal was lost some years ago over the closure of Evesham. It was part of the business case for having a new Worcester Court which is now up and running.