WORCESTER’S MP is worried a multi-million-pound regeneration project could produce “low quality” housing for the city.
Tom Collins said Worcester has ended up with some “architecturally uninspired” developments and has warned against Shrub Hill Quarter going the same way.
Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet last week agreed on plans to find a development partner for the scheme, which is hoped to deliver 500 homes and 5,000 jobs in the long term.
DEVELOPMENT: Plans for the regeneration of Shrub Hill Quarter (Image: Shrub Hills Quarter SPD)
Council chiefs want an investor to take on the site on an initial five-year lease, and having failed to find a suitable developer last year, are set to go out to tender again in the autumn.
Labour MP Mr Collins said: “One of the most valuable aspects of the proposal was the delivery of high-quality space for non-retail business, and the provision of grow-out space for small businesses and start-ups.
“It is also crucial context that Worcester has seen a large amount of central residential development recently, producing a large number of small apartment properties.
“Furthermore, the canal-side has been identified as a key area for development as public realm – it should provide high-quality waterside public space for socialisation and for hospitality businesses.”
But he warned: “Worcester has suffered some very architecturally uninspired recent development, and it’s vital this trend is reversed as land around the historic engine works and Shrub Hill Station is redeveloped.
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“How does the council intend to ensure that development proposals focus on meeting genuine housing need in the existing Worcester community – in particular social housing, affordable (as opposed to low-value) housing, and properties that do not over-saturate the Worcester property market with more small apartments?”
He said he wants the development to be “genuinely architecturally sympathetic and complimentary to the Engine Works buildings”.
“As it stands, I am deeply concerned that a lack of reflection and testing of concepts could, again, result in a failure to attract investment, or worse, will attract low-quality and exploitative investment that could be detrimental to the city overall,” said Mr Collins.
Council leader Matt Jenkins said he was keen to work with Mr Collins as the project progressed.
