PLANS for a 100-bedroom budget hotel and 84 houses and flats in Redditch town centre were discussed by councillors last night - and it looked as if they might finally get the green light.

Redditch Council's planning committee once again considered the application for the old rail yard in Hewell Road following long delays.

The development, which includes a Holiday Inn Express, will cover about 1.8 hectares and take about a year to complete.

Planning committee members have previously said permission should be granted as long as developers agree to certain conditions.

The original covenant included provision of affordable housing, open space, play areas for children, as well as replacing the footbridge across the railway line and improving the pedestrian access to the site.

But, a final decision on the application was delayed because developers refused to replace the bridge and improve site access.

Planning officer Kevin Fisher explained: "If a major application like this one is set to be approved, the authority gives the planning officers permission to grant the scheme as long as all the legal agreements are signed."

Work on the site was set to start in September but could now be delayed further.

Revised terms were discussed last night and councillors were advised by planning officers to grant the application providing all other terms could be met.

Plans for the hotel come alongside the council's own plans for two hotels as part of a £50 million sports, leisure and entertainment complex on the Abbey Stadium site.