RESIDENTS in St Peter's have been urged to voice their opinions on plans for a new church and community centre on the estate.

Discussions over the development, which also includes affordable housing on land next to Abbotsbury Court, have been rumbling on for five years.

But now St Peter's residents, who have been reluctant to come forward before, are being urged to make their opinions known to Worcester City Council.

During the summer of 2000, the city council suggested St Peter's Parish Council, which wants a community centre, should enter into a partnership with Red Hill Baptist Church.

But parish council members decided a joint venture was not in the best interests of the area's residents.

Parish council chairman Roger Knight said he was thinking of holding an open evening.

"The response has been so low in the past from locals and we have not been representing the majority of St Peter's to the city council," he said.

"All the parish council is trying to do is get the best deal possible for the village hall committee who are developing the new community centre, then we will back away."

Mr Knight displayed the most recent proposal for the development in the village hall at a packed parish meeting last month.

Plans showed the church and social housing to the north, below St Peter's Drive, and the community centre and basketball court by Abbotsbury Court, to the south.

Mr Knight said it was the most realistic option the parish was likely to get.

"I'm suggesting people put forward their views in writing before the planning application comes up," said vice-chairman, Michael Recker.

"If 2,000 people say they don't want the church, the city council will listen to this," added Mr Knight.