A NEW industrial estate in Droitwich looks set to get planning permission despite worried neighbours raising concerns about noise and pollution from an influx of lorries.

A plan to build a 32 unit industrial estate on brownfield land off Salwarpe Road in Droitwich will go before planners at Wychavon District Council next week (February 6) with a recommendation it should be approved but residents fear the extra traffic would damage an area already plagued by noisy lorries.

A turning area for visiting lorries would also be built to the north of the site.

A total of 23 objections were made against the plan largely concerned by the added noise, light and air pollution from the new units on top of existing pollution from the existing industrial estates and railway line.

Some objections also questioned whether the new industrial estate was needed in the town.

John Berrey of Vernon Grove said: This proposed site is not suitable for industrial units and the associated traffic it will create.

"This is a residential area and has been for many years - there are many more suitable vacant sites near other industrial estates.

"Given the number of vacant industrial units in n around Droitwich why do we need any more?

"With the growth of residential developments in Droitwich surely better use could be made of the land such as shops or a recreational development."

The industrial estate would be around 800 metres from the town centre and 450 metres from Roman Way Retail Park which already has a Lidl, Aldi and DFS. Home Bargains plans to open its first Droitwich store in a unit left vacant by Homebase.

A plan to build 34 homes on the land was refused by the council in December 2015 and an appeal was dismissed in September 2016.

The industrial estate would be open for office space, light industry, industrial, storage and distribution businesses.

The number of extra journeys caused by the new industrial site an extra 83 trips in the morning and evening rush hours and around 470 extra trips on average every day, according to an assessment of the area's transport included in the application.

Around 30 of those trips would be made by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) - largely on Salwarpe Road where the site would be accessed from.

Plans for 117 parking spaces are also included.