SHRUB Hill’s potential overhaul will “transform the edge of Worcester city centre”, according to business chiefs.

Community leaders and politicians are backing the exciting development, which will turn Newtown Road, where the scheme backs onto, into a major city gateway.

Councillor Lucy Hodgson, who represents the area on Worcestershire County Council, said: “We’d certainly like to see regeneration in that area and I welcome this, particularly when it comes to the new jobs and housing for key support workers like nurses.

"I think it’s excellent news in the regeneration of Worcester, it sounds like a lot of work has gone into it.”

Mike Ashton, chief executive of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We welcome the scheme and the application as this has the opportunity to transform the edge of Worcester city centre with the creation of jobs, housing and leisure.”

In terms of the construction, Thomas Vale is set to be the main contractor working on the scheme, with about 150 jobs being created for just the building phase.

Many of those roles will go to apprentices, putting more young people into work at a difficult time for the economy.

The properties, which total 586, will bring in about £2 million a year in council tax rates.

The area at the moment is home to a mix of very small industrial units, with no more than 70 people employed on the land in total.

The company is talking to the tenants who rent units on the site about potentially staying on as part of the new development.

Sherriff’s Gate Limited is inviting businesses or organisations interesting in becoming a part of the development, or people wanting to comment on it, to contact them.

E-mail kim@sherriffsgate.co.uk or call 01905 724114.