UP TO 325 homes could be built on the outskirts of Worcester after city planners approved the building of 175 homes on a site previously earmarked for a University campus.

The thumbs up were given for 175 homes on land to the east of Oak View Way off Bromyard Road which will accompany up to 150 homes already approved in an outline application by Malvern Hill District Council planners in July.

In the 175 home Bloor Homes Western application, 40 per cent will be affordable – in line with council policy – with around half of the site forming public open space and will also include a children’s play area.

At a meeting on Thursday (September 20), councillors on the city council planning committee did express concern over access to the site and its links with walking, cycling and public transport - the nearest bus stop would be 800 metres away in Bromyard Road - but were pleased with a developer providing the full 40 per cent allocation for affordable housing.

Councillors were also concerned by the increased traffic and congestion the site would cause as well as the dangerous junction at the entrance to the site.

Cllr Mike Johnson said: "If we can get a scheme that is offering 40 per cent affordable housing then we should absolutely be taking it up."

Cllr Chris Mitchell, chairman of the planning committee, said: "I am really pleased to see 40 per cent social housing on a major development. It will make a difference across the city and the region."

Councillor Alan Amos was aggrieved by the lack of information over car parking.

He said: "I must be living in a parallel universe to planning because nowhere in this plan does it say where or how many car parking spaces there will be.

"Is it satisfactory to have a report which doesn't tell us how many car parking spaces there will be?"

Cllr Roger Berry said: "This is right on the edge of the city and we really should have worked with Malvern Hills District Council on a joint access plan.

"I can't believe we are not including cycle routes.

"We do need to take a longer term view and certainly the whole development needs to have adequate transport routes."

Cllr Pat Agar said: "I certainly welcome the 40 per cent allocation of affordable housing."

Cllr Louis Stephen shared the concern of Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, in that not enough provision had been made for cycling as part of the development.

Developer Bloor Homes Western is keen to start building as soon as possible and has said it hopes to lay the first bricks within a year.

The land was previously owned by the University of Worcester after it was purchased from Tesco in 2009 with plans for it to be transformed into a multi-million pound business, science, and sport park.