New plans on carpet site

Developers have launched a new bid to transform a former Stourport factory with a multi-million homes and leisure scheme.

Plans include 159 homes, offices, business units and a leisure scheme on part of the old Carpets of Worth factory in Severn Road.

The scheme had been in limbo during a two-year battle over plans by Tesco to build a new supermarket and petrol station, creating 250 jobs, on another part of the site.

The Tesco plans had been called in for judicial review following complaints from rivals The Co-op.

Now Wyre Forest's Development and Control committee's decision to allow the superstore to go ahead has prompted developers Arab Investments to submit fresh plans for the remainder of the Carpets of Worth site.

Arab Investments want to build 159 homes alongside shops, a hotel, business opportunities and a leisure development next door to the new supermarket.

The plans at this stage do not specify exactly what would be sited where within the proposed scheme but if given the go-ahead, it would pave the way for shops, offices and a hotel to be built on the site.

The application to include leisure opportunities could include a gym or swimming pool to a cinema, bingo hall or even an ice skating rink.

Wyre Forest Council planning officer John Baggott said Arab Investments had missed an opportunity to lodge an appeal against delays on dealing with their first application.

But the council will now be required to deal with the new application within the statutory 13-week time frame. It is is expected to come before the planning committee on November 10.