A COUNCILLOR has claimed Warndon residents have been "stabbed in the back" after doubt was cast over plans previously agreed for turning some wasteland into parking and a play area.

£100,000 had been earmarked to transform an unused strip of land off Cotswold Way in Warndon into a new play area - but now Cllr Owen Cleary is worried the plan won't go ahead. 

In the same area, there is also an old section of paved concrete between Cotswold Way and the top of Rodborough Drive, which is currently inaccessible to vehicles, which Cllr Cleary believes should be used for extended resident parking.

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Cllr Cleary says, despite councillors agreeing to the plan, questions have since been raised within the council about whether it is doable. 

At full council on Tuesday, July 11, Cllr Cleary questioned joint-leader Cllr Lynn Denham on why a decision by elected councillors was potentially now being disregarded.

Cllr Cleary said: “In April 2022 at full council, councillors voted unanimously to set aside a £100,000 capital sum for some overdue development at Rodborough Drive Green Space in Warndon.

“Conversations were had by charity and private bodies to match funding and the project is twofold.

“A primary age play area and additional residents parking by creating access to an existing but currently inaccessible hard standing.

"The project also included fruit tree planting, nature trails and information boards, additional benches/bins and a footpath and lighting review.

“Now after 18 months of heel-dragging, and a change in council leadership, officers have informed me they have decided not to proceed with this plan that was agreed at full council. So, my question is, what is the point of elected councillors?”

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However, Cllr Denham denied that the plans for the Rodborough Drive area had been scrapped.

She said: “No decision has been made; officers cannot make a decision without councillors making a decision.

“So, no decision has been made not to proceed with this project. Any such decision can only be taken by the relevant policy committee, which is the Place and Economic Development Committee.”

Cllr Cleary said he would forward an email he had received from officers, which had questioned the feasibility of the plan, to Cllr Denham, but she said that she had not had any discussions with officers regarding the project.

Worcester City Council declined to comment as it is entering an election period.