DOUBTS have been expressed over a massive £75m revamp of the Lowesmoor conservation area by a former city mayor, who fears the development will ruin a vital part of Worcester's heritage.

Coun Dave Clark spoke of his concern after plans were revealed to transform the shabby area into a thriving shopping centre based around supermarket giant Asda.

The lavish scheme was exclusively revealed in the Worcester News last month.

Coun Clark is against plans to use the site of the old vinegar works as a new home for the Territorial Army unit and wants it to be turned into a public building.

The developers want to move the Army into it as a key part of the revamp, which will also see 13 new shops and 15 new apartments along Silver Street.

Coun Clark is not against the shop plan - which is set to create 1,000 new jobs - but is firmly against proposals for the vinegar works site.

He wants it made into a new home for the Swan Theatre and said it was a vital chance to boost city tourism.

"The old vinegar works is one of the most impressive buildings in the city," he said.

"It's got history - it supplied 90 per cent of vinegar in this country throughout the 1900s.

"This city needs tourism, and this vinegar site really should become a new public building for attracting more tourists rather than a new home for the Army.

"It would be an excellent home for the Swan Theatre and could also be used as an exhibition centre.

"My concern is that we need to remain attractive as a tourist city - it's a vital part of our economy.

"When there is a will, there's a way and I don't want Worcester to lose out this time. We must got for quality."

The city council has not yet fixed a date to consider current proposals for the Lowesmoor conservation area.

Chris Jaeger, director of Huntington Arts and the Swan Theatre, said Coun Clark has yet to speak to him about the idea, but he looks forward to him doing so.