City to get new football stadium

A new 7,000-seater stadium will replace the old ground

Worcester City football club has been granted permission to build a new ground on the outskirts of the city.

Councillors voted 23 to six in favour of the plans for a new 7,000-seater stadium at the city's Spetchley Road.

However the funding for the new ground needed the support of a commercial development and a B&Q superstore will form part of the complex.

Club director Dave Boddy says the move is an historic moment in the club's history.

'Hard work'

He told BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester: "It's a great day for Worcester City Football Club.

"It means that we've got a green light to drive the thing forward and had it gone wrong this evening, I think we'd have been scratching our heads and back to the drawing board really.

"The message to every Worcester City supporter now is this is where the hard work begins, but we're going to take the thing forward."

However, not everyone supports the plans.

Residents say the development of a B&Q superstore at the site will lead to too much congestion in a residential area.

'Determined opposition'

Spokesman Keith Burton says the council's decision is a setback.

"The battle is not lost until the battle is over," he said.

"We are quite determined in our opposition to the B&Q.

"I am sure that 10,000 people of Worcester who voted in favour for a football stadium, did not actually vote for a B&Q."