PLANS to build a convenience store in the grounds of a Powick pub will come before Malvern Hills councillors next week.

Developer New River Retail has applied to build the store at the Three Nuns, Colletts Green Road.

But the scheme has aroused opposition from local residents, who fear an increase in traffic through the village.

The scheme in on the agenda for next Wednesday's meeting of the district council's northern area development management committee, where it is recommended for approval.

A similar application was refused earlier this year, because of fears of the traffic problems it would cause. The applicant says the latest plan has addressed this problem, but residents dispute this.

Mike Richmond of the Colletts Green Action Group said: "Sparrowhall Lane, the road leading up to the pub, has a blind brow of a hill right before where the entrance to the car park is, and cars already come too fast up there. "

"The visibility splay from the car park was inadequate in the previous application, The new plan has done nothing to address this and we would urge the district council to refuse it."

A public meeting has been arranged for Friday at the parish hall at 7pm to discuss making the pub an Asset of Community Value.

Mr Richmond said: "There are fears that if the shop application is refused, the pub could be demolished as the only way to achieve the visibility splay."

Landlord Dave Redfern said: "People are talking about demolishing the pub but that's not on the agenda. I've got a long lease and I'm not going anywhere."

A spokesman for New River said, “It is completely incorrect to suggest that we would contemplate demolishing the Three Nuns. This has never been considered.

"The objective of the revised planning application is to provide a new convenience store to trade alongside the pub and create a community hub that would serve the locality.

"In their response to the revised plan, Worcestershire County Council stated that the visibility from the proposed new access is not only acceptable but is actually a ‘marked improvement’ to the existing access.

"We have worked positively with the district and county councils to ensure that there is an entirely acceptable scheme in planning terms.”