THE outgoing leader of the city council has come out fighting over controversial plans to build on Grove Farm - saying his authority can do nothing to prevent it.

Coun Stephen Inman said it was not his party's choice to designate the 19-hectare green field site, on the outskirts of St John's, as employment land.

The site was designated as employment land by a planning inspector from the current Labour government at the start of the century. Government planners insisted the site would be ideal to create new jobs.

Now plans have been submitted to build 27 office blocks and industrial units on the 11 hectare site to cater for 3,000 workers, Coun Inman insists it is the council's duty to get the best possible development approved.

"The site has a long history," he said. "When we came into power in 2000 we were sceptical of the need to develop on greenfield sites rather than brownfield ones.

"We were always told there was a shortfall of employment land, and after a government inspector told us it should be designated as such, the battle to not develop Grove Farm had been lost.

"We argued it was premature, and were told that was not the case. We then had no choice but to look at Grove Farm for development. It was too late to turn the tide, if you like. There was a time we were able to hold the floods back, but since around 2001 onwards, the matter was effectively out our hands.

"Our duty now is to get the best possible development for Worcester."

About 1,800 car parking spaces would also be created on the site if the plans win approval this summer.

Grove Farm Residents Voice - a local campaign group of 340 people - is bitterly opposing the project because of concerns over pollution and congestion.

Spokesperson for the group Leesa Laird said: "What's done is done, and there is nothing we can do about the past, but I hope the council listens to us with regards things like traffic concerns.

"I think 3,000 jobs is far too much to try and create on the site. It would be a bit of a fiasco, to be honest."