A MAJOR developer has bought 19 acres of prime land in Worcester which belonged to the Government - raising the prospect of more homes being on the way.

St Modwen has come to a deal with DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) over its offices in Whittington Road near Junction 7 of the M5.

The sale, which has been in the offing for some time, means the huge brownfield complex is now expected to undergo a significant regeneration.

St Modwen insists its thoughts on the land are open-ended, saying it is "exploring a number of options" for the prime site.

Although DEFRA staff are still located in the offices, the number has fallen in recent years and the complex has been on the market for some time.

Until recently council chiefs were determined to keep the land for exclusive employment use, but decided to water that view down in the current, emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).

We can reveal how the site is now earmarked for mixed use, with an ideal maximum of 120 homes alongside four hectares of office accommodation.

But the sale has led to some concern that the city faces more housing being thrust upon it.

David Tibbutt, the chairman of Worcester Conservative Association, said today: "The worry for me is, we've got a new Waitrose on the way down London Road, the homes built at Kilbury Drive (in Spetchley), heaven forbid maybe even 200 homes at Middle Battenhall Farm.

"Collectively there's a lot going on, we must have the right infrastructure."

DEFRA says its workers will relocate from the site, with St Modwen now intending to draw up a plan for its overhaul.

The firm is already a big player in Worcester, and is behind the ongoing housing regeneration of the old Worcester City FC site in St George's Lane.

Jonathan Green, a development surveyor at St Modwen, said: "We’re currently exploring our options for the site, which is in an ideal location in terms of its proximity to the city centre, the railway station and the motorway.

"This purchase from DEFRA further cements St Modwen’s dedication to Worcester, where we’re working on progressing a number of different schemes."

St Modwen has recently completed the construction of 25,000 square foot of new employment space on a speculative basis at Great Western Business Park near Tolladine, and has submitted a planning application to build a further 60,000 square foot.

It also owns and manages the Shrub Hill Industrial Estate and Nunnery Way, a 19-acre site which it is developing for employment, showroom and leisure space.