A MULTI-MILLION pound housing development is on the way to Worcester - with 38 new affordable homes due to transform the landscape.

Developer Waterloo Housing has secured permission to create a residential plot on a chunk of green land at Ambrose Close, St John's.

Worcester City Council has sold the land off in a bid to try and make a dent in its waiting list for an affordable home, which has 2,460 names on it.

Under the plans Waterloo will construct 26 homes for families of all sizes and 12 apartments, as well as provide some recreational play facilities.

The move will also boost the public coffers considerably, with the organisation coughing up £201,000 towards public transport improvements and £59,000 on open spaces.

It was nodded through by Worcester City Council's planning committee subject to detailed talks about what play facilities Waterloo intends to create to make up for the loss of green space.

The plot of land due to be built on is 1.1 hectares of managed grassed open space, which forms a rectangle shape bordered by Ambrose Close.

It was agreed despite claims from some existing nearby residents that the development would "devalue" their homes.

Marilyn Taylor, who attended to speak on behalf of the Ambrose Close residents, said: "I strongly believe the plans are not the best for this particular areas - the overwhelming majority of people affected are pensioners."

She said affordable homes "devalue" private properties and "push insurance prices up", before adding that many of the area's elderly residents are "scared of change".

"In my experience it tends to attract gang gatherings, late-night comings and goings," she said.

She said the city council only wanted "30 pieces of silver" for the land, but seemed to be partially won over by comments about it improving the area.

Reuben Flynn, from Waterloo Housing, said: "There are something in the order of 2,400 people on the council's waiting list.

"This is all about trying to meet the need for affordable housing in the city, it will meet the needs for everyone after a one-bed property to a four-bed, and allow them to get a foot on the housing ladder."

Labour Councillor Elaine Williams said: "In my view it looks like a commendable scheme, it also preserves quite a lot of green space."

Councillor Richard Udall said Waterloo is an "exceptionally good housing association", but warned that the new recreational land must be better than what is there now.

Councillor Jo Hodges said: "It's a super scheme, it'll provide affordable housing that is desperately needed."

They agreed to award the development permission, subject to talks over the play facilities.

The development will come with 69 parking spaces and every house will be managed by Waterloo on a social rented basis.