A HUGE derelict patch of Worcester land is being transformed into a multi-million pound home and office development - sparking concern over "gridlock" around London Road.

Worcester City Council has given a developer the go-ahead to turn the historic old DEFRA site off Whittington Road, seven acres of unused Government buildings, into 120 homes and new employment.

But there are fears that it will trigger intolerable pressure on Spetchley roundabout, given how close the site is to the new Waitrose, London Road and other major housing sites.

St Modwen, which bought the land last summer, will create a dedicated entrance for the significant development, but the roundabout will stay untouched.

Cllr Alan Amos, a former chairman of the city's planning committee, has accused Worcestershire County Council of not taking the concern seriously enough, saying the overhaul will tip traffic in the London Road area too far.

Highways officers have ruled out doing anything to the layout, despite admitting it will lead to hundreds more cars using the route.

The county council says it does have a deal in place requiring the roundabout to be drastically improved once developers have built 251 homes at nearby Uffnells farm, off Kilbury Drive which has planning permission.

But that could be years away, if ever, with Worcester councillors saying public willingness to put up with jams is over.

The planning application attracted around 50 objections, led by Spetchley Road Residents' Association which called it "blinkered".

Cllr Amos said: "Normal families have more than one car - if they have teenage children they might have two more cars.

"They may well use the motorway to get to work, I accept that, but they will also want to go into the city centre for shopping.

"I've been told the roundabout will be rebuilt once the 251st property is built (at Uffnells farm) but my concern is if that ever happens they could say 'we can't afford it, it's not viable'.

"Since the Waitrose was built traffic is even worse in the area, we all know London Road is subject to gridlock on many occasions, we just can't go on like this.

"We've got to do something about it."

But highways officer Stephen Hawley, speaking during a planning committee meeting, told him it is not in the plans.

"It's not perfect, but the traffic modelling we do gives us the best possible estimate of predicting the volume of vehicles, we've taken a very high count of 230 cars," he said.

"There will clearly be additional use of the roundabout."

The plans were voted through on the basis of the economic boost the development will bring.

Cllr Roger Berry said: "This is a big gateway to Worcester - it's a great opportunity to provide a really good employment site where people can walk and cycle to work."

Committee vice-chair Cllr Pat Agar added: "We've known for some time this site was going to be redeveloped, it's good to see it come forward."

It will mean the widespread demolition of much of the site, but St Modwen will place interpretation boards around it so people are reminded of its history.

The land, which includes three Second World War Romney huts, was a huge employment base during the conflict, with swathes of Government workers relocated there from London.

St Modwen has full permission for 120 homes going from one-bed apartments all the way to five-bed properties, and outline planning consent for employment use.