WORCESTER City’s long-running move away from St George’s Lane has been hit by a further delay.

The cash-strapped Blue Square South outfit want to build a new stadium at Nunnery Way on land between junctions six and seven of the M5.

City also need to sell their St George’s Lane ground for housing to pay off more than £1million in debts.

They had intended to put their proposals before Worcester City Council planners in May but that fell by the wayside and now the club hope it to be September.

Concerns were raised by Warndon Parish Council in February over fans crossing a dual-carriageway to reach the stadium and it is believed the plans are still being tweaked.

A pedestrian bridge over Nunnery Way was ruled out, along with a crossing controlled by lights because it would interrupt the flow of traffic on the 70mph road.

City council officials cannot hear the application until the issue of access has been resolved and it could yet go through another consultation process.

It is unclear when the plans will be ready but, given five months have elapsed since the initial fears were raised, the new season will be under way.

St Modwen are spearheading the project and looking to develop the rest of the 20-acre site.

A statement from the company said: “St Modwen is currently engaged in discussions with Worcester City Council over our planning application for Nunnery Way and is working together with the council’s planners to address a number of technical highways issues.

“We are confident that these issues will be resolved in due course, which will enable the council to determine our application.”

It is now likely that property developer Careys New Homes will have their application to build houses on St George’s Lane heard before the Nunnery Way situation is addressed.

Originally, both applications were due to be heard together but Careys’ scheme is more advanced.

Alan Coleman, senior planning officer at Worcester City Council, said: “At this stage, because we are so far off even contemplating the Nunnery Way scheme, it makes sense that if the St George’s Lane application is in a position to be considered we take it to the next available planning committee.”

Any permission granted to Wembley-based Careys, who agreed a £7.36million price for the Lane last year, would be valid for three years.

It is now nine months since City unveiled plans for the new stadium to supporters in Worcester, itself a year on from the initial announcement of the current proposed move.

Back then, it was hoped a new ground would be ready for the start of this season.