PLANS by MG Rover's new oriental owners to use an office as residential accommodation has sparked fears that hundreds of Chinese workers will be brought in to man the site.

Nanjing Automobile, which won the race with rivals SAIC to take over the Longbridge firm just a month ago, has submitted a planning application to Birmingham City Council.

It has applied for permission to convert and temporarily use an office at the plant's south engineering block, off Lickey Road, for residential living and to install four shower units there.

It is feared a Chinese workforce will be used to strip out manufacturing equipment - a move that would anger many former Rover workers who are still trying to find work after facing redundancy.

Worry

Bromsgrove district councillor Peter McDonald (Lab-Waseley) covers the Rubery area which is home to many of the former workforce and has been heavily affected by the situation. He said: "This news would worry people in the area. Some still have future hopes of getting their jobs back but this move would put that in jeopardy.

"If a Chinese workforce was brought in people would hope it was for only a short-term measure.

"The factory was built and developed by local people who also helped build its good name."

Despite several attempts by the Advertiser/Messenger, no-one from Nanjing Automobile could be contacted.