Demolition for structurally unsound car park

Worcester City Council has given Worcestershire County Council permission to knock down the site

An unsafe car park at the back of a historic building is to be demolished.

The site, behind a listed engine works in Shrub Hill in Worcester, was found to be structurally unsound following a survey last year.

Worcester City Council has granted Worcestershire County Council permission to knock it down.

The latter reports it does not yet know what to do with the 425-metre plot of land.

The site has been cordoned off for years, with planners saying the build was carried out between 1905 and 1920.

Knocking down the car park would improve the 19th century grade II listed engine works, they added.

Worcester Civic Society said it did not dispute the need for demolition.

But campaigners within the group have questioned whether the southernmost boundary wall has to come down with it.

The area has been cordoned off for years

The Shrub Hill Quarter is set for regeneration as part of a joint project between the city and county councils.

A draft planning document setting out a framework for the development of the area went out for public consultation earlier this year.