WARNDON Parish Council chairman Ray Morris insists he will view Worcester City’s new stadium proposals with an “open mind” — but would be “amazed” if they get the green light.

City’s plans to build a home at Parsonage Way in conjunction with Worcester City Council and Worcestershire FA go on display at Warndon Hub today (3pm-7pm).

The proposed location has been met with vehement objections from parish councillors and Morris confirmed an application to make the plot an asset of community value, a move that could scupper City’s hopes, is still under consideration.

But Morris refuted suggestions of an alliance with Worcester City Supporters’ Trust in spite of supporting the fans’ group’s bid to pursue a stadium at Perdiswell.

“I would be amazed if it got anywhere near satisfying the feasibility studies based on all sorts of things such as access and parking,” said Morris.

“I am not against the football club returning to the city. It was a shame it went away in the past, it should not have happened in the first place and I will probably never understand why it did.

“I would be shocked if it got through politically because of the areas that are restricted due to the wildlife, its proximity to ancient woodlands and the proposed modifications to junction six of the M5. There are too many unknowns.

“One of the problems I have with these drop-in sessions is the habit that local people get spoken to and then it comes back that as much as possible has been done to address their objections. I don’t buy into it until the planning application comes forward.

“I absolutely have an open mind on this, not that anyone will think that after our last meeting, but it is very much coloured by the views of local residents and the concerns I share with them.

“The residents will take some convincing. We all live in extremely narrow roads and I think the parking issues will be bad news.

“I am looking forward to seeing what is proposed but am more interested in the outcome of the feasibility studies. I have not heard anyone at this point who is strongly in favour of putting a football stadium on that land.”

On the prospect of making the plot an asset of community value, Morris said: “The parish council is still discussing that. I don’t know whether it would go ahead or not.

"The reason for our interest in an asset of community value is because we don’t have any large space for what makes up 10 per cent of the city’s population.

“Everything along the bypass is being built on. This community expects some sort of recreation area and that is the only area left.

“There are two fields there that are extremely wet and would need a lot of money spent on them. This is the remaining piece of land and that is why it sparked our interest.

“We have not had words with the trust at all. My personal view on Perdiswell is based on the fact it has always been the main place for football in the city.

"Whether the proposed ground (at Perdiswell) is in the right place is another issue entirely.”

Worcester City directors Anthony Hampson and Mark Wilcox were unavailable for comment.