THE latest plans for a £100,000 town centre environmental improvement programme have met strong opposition from the vicar of St Stephen's Church.

The Rev Andrew Smith said he had not been consulted over the plans to revamp the area around the church, which include shrub removal and tree pruning.

He said: "We will be objecting to them because hearses and wedding cars will not be able to park in front of the church. It will make it very difficult for them.

"The plans are also cutting the church off from the rest of the town centre.

"The church should be easily accessible."

Mr Smith added: "They did not come and talk to us about this before they drew up the plans.

"I said months ago there would be problems with it but they have not changed anything.

"What can you do?"

Redditch Council's landscape and countryside manager Nat Healey said there had been initial talks between Mr Smith and a landscape architect some time ago.

He said: "Now we have secured funding, we will be looking at the plans in greater detail and we will be talking with Mr Smith.

"We have not actually got to the stage where we are talking about the final details, which will include access points."