A LONG-AWAITED regeneration project in Worcester has secured planning approval - with 12 new homes and a church on the way.

Almost one year since Ronkswood's Holy Trinity and St Matthew's Church was demolished to rubble, Worcester City Council has signalled that the transformation can begin.

Fortis Living has got the go-ahead for 12 new properties, all of which will be social housing carved up into a mix of apartments and one or two-bed homes.

But the grand project also includes a brand new church which will be designed for the whole community to use - featuring meeting rooms, a cafe, main hall and 10 parking spaces.

The new building will replace the much-loved Holy Trinity facility, which dated back to 1966 and was affectionately known as 'The Drum' by locals.

Both schemes were voted through unanimously by the planning committee, with councillors saying it is a big step forward.

It was backed despite some concerns around the shortage of parking for the church - before it was pointed out that the old facility had none.

Councillor Alan Feeney said: "Are we assuming that people will arrive to this centre on foot?

"Ten parking spaces doesn't seem like a lot on a building of this scale."

Worship has been taking place at Perry Wood School and St. Barnabas Church in Rainbow Hill to make up for the loss.

But Councillor Pat Agar said: "It's an improvement on the previous situation.

"Since the church went the community including schools have done a great job, but this is a much-needed development to replace what really was a much-loved building."

Each of the 12 properties will get their own dedicated parking spaces in a courtyard.

The old church was demolished in November last year when its condition had become increasingly poor.

It had no insulation, condensation problems, leaking roofs and a growing maintenance bill.

It closed in December 2012 when part of its ceiling fell down, leading to the eventual demolition last year.