PARISH leaders on a Worcester housing estate have expressed their disappointment after seeing a plan for the future of a piece of land.

A site development brief has been prepared concerning the former sheltered housing site near the Tesco supermarket, in St Peter's.

Red Hill Baptist Church wants to build a place of worship on the land, but is at loggerheads with St Peter's Parish Council.

The council, which met this week for its annual meeting, insists the leisure needs of young people take priority and has called for a separate community centre on the two-acre site.

Worcester City Council, which owns the land, has agreed, in principle, to split the site between the two. A housing association would also build a handful of homes there.

The city council development brief suggests a community centre would be put at the southern end of the wedge-shaped site, with housing sited at the north-eastern end and also possibly a Baptist church to the west.

"When we first saw this brief we were alarmed to say the least," said parish member Roger Knight.

"It looks as though our community hall will be on a small area of land which couldn't be expanded. We don't think the people of St Peter's would be satisfied with this because we've already got a centre of a similar size.

"We want to be able to provide a range of sports for the community to make the most of."

Mr Knight said in a survey sent to the households, 60 per cent wanted to see a community centre on the site, whereas 17 per cent said they would like to see a church there as well.

Parish chairman Peter Hatcher said he wanted to know how the parish would like to deal with the situation.

Members of the public suggested the parish council ask outside experts to look at the plans and the proposals.

"We want this for the people of St Peter's," said Mr Knight. "We deserve facilities which serve our community."