WORK on the third phase of Malvern Hills Science Park will start in January, if the money is found.

Malvern Hills District Council's southern area planning committee voted unanimously in favour the scheme at a meeting on Wednes-day night.

Permission was granted on condition the park builds a number of traffic-calming measures and community improvements, including two toucan crossings on Pool-brook Road and Barnards Green Road and a £132,000 cycle path linking it with the trading estate in Townsend Way.

Judy Gibson, a resident of Geraldine Road, said at the meeting: "Safety measures must take priority. If this causes further delay to the development then so be it. I would suggest the committee's obligation is to give the agreement its full effect."

The two- and three-storey development, which will be one of Britain's most environmentally- friendly buildings, will provide space for about 15 new businesses and could create up to 160 new jobs over the next three years.

But applications for funding must be successful before work can start.

Money from Europe and local sources is expected to provide around half of the £6 million cost.

Science park manager Nigel Shaw said: "We now have a period of a few weeks of frantic work to get the applications in and allow us to harden up plans for the actual development.

"A key issue for us is the traffic calming measures which will require residents' input. We hope to work with them as this can only be done with their consultation."