DIRECTOR Mark Wilcox was heartened by the public's feedback over Worcester City's Parsonage Way proposals – but fans must wait to discover the cost.

More than 40 people attended Warndon Hub today as City and Worcester-based Zebra Architects revealed initial plans for the site. 

REVEALED: A review of City's Parsonage Way plans

Most were supporters, many of whom are members of Worcester City Supporters' Trust, with the biggest query being how much the project would cost and how it would be financed.

“All we are looking to do at the moment is to engage with the local community,” said Wilcox.

“It is all phased for something that is manageable and achievable for the level of football we are looking at from day one.

“We have to put in the planning application to show where the stands and ground could get to in the future.

“We need some of the topographic reports to come back to understand the levels before we can commit to any figures."

“Nothing has changed with what we’re looking at, we need to get all of the surveys back in. Once we have that we can go out to the people who are keen to support the club going forward, financially as well. We have to look at all of the opportunities we can.

“We have had concerns, it is all new but we have areas which are being kept for green spaces and the majority of the comments have been very positive about it.”

Chairman Anthony Hampson, who is scheduled to be present at the second consultation at Lyppard Hub next Wednesday, said in November the club had the means to finance its share of the joint capital venture with the Worcestershire FA.

Martin Collier, football development manager at the county association, refused to be drawn on how the costs would be divided but explained leasing facilities to local clubs represented nothing unusual.

“Worcester City asked if we could support the project and we feel the club needs to be in the city,” said Collier. “It is good they are taking into consideration the views of local people.

“We have five sites that we lease, one at Claines Lane and another four in Kidderminster.

“County and local councils cannot afford to maintain them so we take them on and keep the facilities going at minimal costs to clubs. We are looking to do that with Worcester City.

“Projects like this are there to maintain grassroots football.”

Collier confirmed Parsonage Way would be managed by Worcester City.

Residents with no affinity to the club offered broadly the same view that City should have a home in Worcester but not in Warndon, arguing Perdiswell would be a more suitable site.

Tony Bayford, 68, and a resident of Warndon said: “The idea to bring Worcester City home is good and one I support but I think Warndon Villages is the wrong place. Perdiswell is the sporting hub for the city and seems most appropriate.

“The talk of getting people to take the bus (to matches) does not work and this would only exasperate the parking problems.

“Going against the South Worcestershire Development Plan leads to even more mistrust in politicians and this is going to cause traffic chaos, particularly as there were no plans for crossings put forward.

“I cannot see any advantages.”

Nick Ward, 48, a Warndon resident who has been a City supporter for more than 40 years, suggested the impact on residents would be minimal.

“I have seen both plans (Perdiswell and Parsonage Way) and just want to see the club back in the city. Where they play now does not make it feel a part of Worcester.

“I can understand residents who are concerned but I am all for this. It will be interesting to see what happens if both get planning permission.

“I do not think it will be much of a problem in the built-up areas. It is going to be phase by phase and with the overflow (parking) I think it will cope.”

Brian Jones, 72, a City fan since the age of eight, fears Parsonage Way may not get through council processes.

“It looks fine but so did Perdiswell,” he said. “We don’t trust the (council) planners, if the wrong people are in charge of it then they could do the same again.

“I can see a battle going on between the two sets of plans.”

City chairman Anthony Hampson was not present but is understood be attending the repeat session at Lyppard Hub. At least one of Wilcox and fellow directors Colin Layland, Kevin Preece and Martin Pinches were present at various stages.Â