PLANS to redevelop land in Kidderminster into a new urban village comprising 300 homes would mean the loss of some town centre parking.

Next week, Wyre Forest District Council's cabinet will vote on proposals to free up council-owned land at Churchfields, Horsefair and Clensmore Street - including part of St Mary's Long Stay Car Park - to create a new highway as part of the 'Churchfields Masterplan'.

The plans, agreed in 2011, involve major road improvements, including remodelling the gyratory at Horsefair, making Blackwell Street one way, and creating a new link road access from the A456 Ringway roundabout through to Churchfields.

There will also be a dedicated 'left in left out' length and weight restricted access to Clensmore Street off the Ringway.

If approved, the number of parking spaces at St Mary's Car Park would be reduced from 33 to 23. Part of the car park would also be cordoned off during the construction process.

Kidderminster Property Investments received the green light in November to build 300 new houses on the former Tomkinsons Carpets site and adjoining land.

The cost to complete the project is estimated to be £6m with funding coming from the Worcestershire and Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnerships and £2.7m following a successful Housing Infrastructure bid in February 2018.

Wyre Forest Council would take £10,000 for making some of its land available for the highway improvements.

Councillor Nathan Desmond, cabinet member for resources at Wyre Forest District Council, said: “I’m delighted we are moving forward with plans set out in 2011.

"We are another step closer to bringing the Churchfields Masterplan to life and redeveloping the land and buildings to create much needed homes in the district.

“The council is happy to make some of its land available to help facilitate such an important project.

"We have worked hard to secure significant external funding to implement the new highway works and we are hopeful that work will commence this summer.”

Cllr Ken Pollock, cabinet member with responsibility for economy and infrastructure at Worcestershire County Council, added: "It's really encouraging news that this ambitious scheme, that will see around 300 new homes developed in a priority housing location, is taking a step closer to being delivered.

"Worcestershire has one of the fastest growing economies in the country and this development will help to give the surrounding area a boost as well as supporting the local housing need."