CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to build a business park on the outskirts of St John's, Worcester, say they are frustrated at delays in the planning process.

The Worcester News can reveal the 13-week deadline for looking at the plans for Grove Farm will pass by this week without any decision by Worcester City Council on whether it will go ahead or not.

Grove Farm Residents Group, which is against plans to construct 27 office blocks and industrial units on the site off Meadowbank Drive, is frustrated with the lack of information coming from the city council.

The council defended its position by saying the plans are so big it is taking time to get enough detail from the developers before finalising a date to properly consider them.

But residents group spokeswoman Leesa Laird said: "I haven't heard a thing from the council for weeks now.

"I am always having to chase it, so it's frustrating, really."

If the plans go ahead, 11 hectares of the 19-hectacre site will be developed, creating up to 4,000 jobs.

But people living near the site, which has been earmarked as employment land, say it would cause pollution and congestion problems.

Planning officer Alan Coleman said: "We aim to complete planning applications within the guidelines, but in this case, because of the complexities involved, it is taking time.

"We are awaiting a response from the highways authority on traffic issues after taking account of comments during public consultation.

"We may need to go back to the developers for more information, so we can't say when we will have a date to go to the planning committee."

Last week, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet said Grove Farm was its preferred option for a park-and-ride site, with Earls Court Farm, also on the outskirts of St John's, and the Bransford Road roundabout also being considered.