CONTROVERSIAL proposals for a £150 million John Lewis-led shopping park in Worcester have moved a step closer - after councillors agreed a bridleway could be re-directed to make way for it.

Developers behind the shopping centre bid, on land known as Worcester Woods, have secured planning permission to move a bridleway cutting right through the site.

The deal was backed by the city council's planning committee, although bosses insist the acceptance does not necessarily mean the out-of-town retail complex will go ahead.

But the approval of changing the bridleway, which will now snake around the site off Newtown Road rather than through it, has been welcomed by Land Securities, which is bankrolling the scheme.

Planning officer Nick Kay, speaking during a planning committee meeting, said: "They want to divert the existing path so it goes around the site rather than through it.

"But this does not pre-judge any separate decision of the committee in due course (for Worcester Woods)."

Councillor Paul Denham said: "We seem to be putting the cart before the horse, if we refused the Worcester Woods application we wouldn't need this bridleway to be diverted."

He was told by Mr Kay that bridleway diversions are always considered separately and first because of the complexities involved in re-directing them, and if was then voted through unanimously.

Land Securities first submitted its separate Worcester Woods planning application in January, with the plaza set to have 13 different units, creating 1,000 jobs including 551 full-time roles.

A 30,000 sq ft Marks &Spencer, 60,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s with an eight-pump petrol station, £7 million 40,000 sq ft John Lewis at Home store and a Next Home and Garden outlet are all signed up so far, with 1,100 parking spaces due to be provided on the site.

After the planning committee meeting Chris Fleetwood, Land Securities' development director, said: "This is the first step towards the creation of up to 1,000 new jobs, delivering millions of pounds of investment and attracting new retailers, including John Lewis to Worcester.

"The proposed development will complement rather than compete with the city centre.

"Existing retailers Marks & Spencer and Next have made clear their commitment to operating a two-store offer, both within the city centre and at Worcester Woods.

"We will continue to work with the council and the local community and look forward to a decision being made in the coming months."

It has ran into objections from other retail sites, who fear it will damage their trade.