DEVELOPERS of the Worcester Woods retail park have said they are ‘reviewing its options’ after planning chiefs rejected the development.
Worcester City Council planning chiefs voted by nine to one to refuse Land Securities controversial application for a £150million out-of-town retail park on Newtown Road last month- with councillors saying it would have a “devastating” impact on the city centre.
An independent report commissioned by the council also found city centre businesses would suffer a 10.8 per cent loss in revenue.
The 396,175sq ft development was set to include a John Lewis, M&S, Sainsbury’s and a Next Home and Garden store and was expected to create 622 jobs.
‘Disappointed’ bosses from Land Securities told the Observer they are now reviewing their options following the refusal.
A spokesperson for Land Securities said: “Land Securities is disappointed by Worcester City Council’s decision to reject the planning application for Worcester Woods Retail Park.
“This is a missed opportunity to create 622 new jobs for the people of Worcester and the surrounding area, as well as to deliver a retail park that would complement the town centre.
“In light of the refusal, Land Securities is currently reviewing its options.”
A number of businesses have previously voiced their concerns about the development, including Adrian Filed from Worcester’s Business Improvement District (BID).
“There will be a long-term devastating effect on businesses causing empty units and a downturn in footfall and sales,” Mr Field said.
“This will be the death of the city centre. We don’t want to make the same irreversible mistakes other cities in the UK have made.”
The development was labelled by Malvern councillors as a ‘threat’ to the town’s Retail Park which includes stores such as Next, M&S and Boots.
