WORCESTER'S planning chief has called for the city's council boundaries to be reviewed if a £500 million 2,200-home 'super village' goes ahead.

Councillor Chris Mitchell, who chairs the planning committee, says it would be wrong if the financial benefits from a new sprawling estate behind St Peter's are pumped into areas like Wychavon and Malvern at the city's expense.

As the Worcester News revealed last Saturday, investor Welbeck Land has submitted a planning application over the massive 'urban extension' near the A4440.

The proposals stand to trigger a multi-million pound bonanza in council tax, business rates and developer contributions to improve infrastructure - but a political bunfight could be on the cards over which areas should benefit.

The land is bound by the M5, River Severn, Broomhall, A38 and Norton Road and stretches back over the boundary for Malvern Hills by Kempsey, as well as a small section belonging to Wychavon.

Councillor Mitchell also says the project is a vindication of the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP), the blueprint which first earmarked the land for investors.

"I got my head around this a couple of years ago, it has been in the SWDP for a long time and if people are concerned, for me they are a little bit behind the times," he said.

"What we need to do is focus on making it happen in the best way possible, and I know my planning team is involved with Malvern and Wychavon to ensure the infrastructure is looked after.

"I'm looking at the positives, even after the SWDP this city will still have a maximum of 120,000 homes, which is still a nice size - it's a small town basically.

"It's also a real opportunity to bring in new industry, new people and new skills, and consequently better paid jobs.

"Overall, the SWDP means we can manage growth in a meaningful way and not be dictated to by developers."

He added: "I do believe there will be a time and place where we do need to have a grown up discussion over boundaries - I don't think it will be an easy discussion, but it's one we'll have to have."

The Welbeck Land outline planning application includes a primary school, hotel, retail, leisure and offices, parks, vast open spaces and even allotments in a snaking new estate.

Meanwhile Councillor Marc Bayliss, the county councillor representing St Peter's, said: "There is an argument that people living there will probably think they are in Worcester, and they will use Worcester services.

"I hope we can work with Malvern and Wychavon to make it work."

Bloor Homes has also submitted a plan to build 1,400 homes off Oldbury Road, in Lower Broadheath, which will form part of the SWDP's 'west Worcester urban extension'.