THE planning meeting, where the fate of the proposed new town Waitrose development will be decided, will not be held in Droitwich Spa.

The announcement came last week following a private meeting of the executive board at Wychavon District Council.

Concerned locals and a selection of councillors had called for the planning meeting, which will be held on Thursday, September 5, to be held in Droitwich after 6pm so it would be easier for Spa people to attend.

But the executive members turned down the call. The meeting will now be held at the authority's offices in Pershore, at 2pm, as was originally planned.

Councillor Roy Seabourne (Lab - Droit West), leader of the Labour party at the district council, said: "We shall continue to oppose this ludicrous decision in the hope that common sense will prevail.

"We call upon the people of Droitwich Spa to join with us in insisting that this meeting be held in a place which enables the people to see the way the councillors, whom they elect, make planning decisions which affect their daily lives."

District council leader, Councillor Malcolm Meikle (Con - Elmley Castle), said: "The reason the executive board decided against the proposal, to hold the meeting in Droitwich, is simply that the council chamber is so well equipped with individual speaker amplification, display facilities and the opportunity to accommodate the public.

"To hold a meeting in a hall where members and the public sit in rows requiring a roving microphone facility would lead to frustration and bad temper.

"I look forward to seeing many people from Droitwich at the planning meeting on September 5," he added.

But members of the town pressure group, Action for Droitwich, are appalled that the meeting will not be held in the Spa.

Spokesman John Yardley said: "This is one of the biggest planning applications Droitwich Spa has seen for a long time, so to not hold the meeting for it in the town is ludicrous as it affects so many people.

"It is typical of Wychavon, they are just not prepared to face the public and are denying residents the chance to listen to what their elected councillors have to say about the development."