Our vision for Worcester's future (From Worcester News)

People of St Peter's have their say

4:20pm Thursday 2nd December 2010 in Future Worcester headlines By Flora Drury, @floradruryWN #worcsnews

THE need for better transport links and attracting business was highlighted in a discussion about the future of Worcester.

St Peter’s residents and parish councillors joined representatives from Worcester City Council for a talk about Future Worcester – a city council initiative to see how people want to see the city grow over the next 30 years.

Subjects such as the number of homes, the shopping experience and making more of Worcester’s historical past were all talked about. But top of the list was better rail links for Worcester.

Residents agreed it was vital for any growth to the city, whether to bring in people for tourism or for business.

“It’s not about getting people out of Worcester,” said parish councillor Paul Thorlby. “It’s about allowing people to come in to Worcester.”

The meeting also considered the limits imposed on any development by narrow roads, old buildings and green belt.

The redevelopment of brownfield sites around the city centre was discussed as an alternative to sprawl into the green belt.

It was also suggested it could be the perfect area for new technology businesses in the city.

Mr Thorlby said: “To some extent we have the opportunity to become a wealth-generating city. We need high-value employment, not heavy industry.”

People were also concerned about the appearance of more homes, singling out the Diglis development as an example of how it should and should not be done. One person said: “The flats on the old Worcester Porcelain site are beautiful, but the ones on the other side by the marina are not.

“The timber is already ageing and tatty. Look at what the Victorians built. Beautiful and still liveable now. In 40 years we are going to want to knock the homes at Diglis down.”

St Peter’s Parish Council plans to arrange another meeting in the new year.