VANDALS have made a mess along a footpath causing anger in the community.

Pershore resident Sue Gooderham said she had contacted Rooftop Housing Group about the footpath on Almonry Close, the site for a proposed redevelopment.

Ms Gooderham said: "I have been in touch with Rooftop, as have many others asking them to clear up this mess which runs all alongside the footpath next to Abbey Park school."

"Someone did come and remove two fence panels but that is all. When I pointed out how dangerous the pointed pieces of fence left attached were someone came, broke them off and left them lying on the floor."

"The whole place is an absolute disgrace and will only deteriorate further as they wait for planning permission."

Rooftop Housing Group said vandalism has occurred on the path. A spokesman said: "We have been taking every measure to manage any problems at the Almonry development, and contractors have been on site at several occasions to ensure that any damage is made safe."

"We have also continued our grounds maintenance contract for the site so that all green areas are kept to a similar standard of when it was occupied."

"However, we have experienced several incidents of vandalism recently and we would encourage the local community to inform us of any future issues so they can be resolved quickly and effectively."

The site has caused controversy and Rooftop Housing Group defended a plan to demolish and redesign it last week after locals said it would "dwarf neighbouring buildings."

A Pershore Civic Society Spokesman said the redesign would see a loss of award winning architecture. "The proposals are for an unusually high and intensive use of the site – doubling the plot density from 30 to almost 60 homes extending to the boundaries of the site, a 3-storey development which will dwarf neighbouring buildings."

A Rooftop Housing Group spokesman said "The current building at Almonry Close is not fit for purpose."

"Built in the late Seventies/early Eighties Almonry is split across two floors. There is no lift provision, corridors are narrow and not suitable for motorised wheelchairs and the only communal facility is a lounge area – the building does not fulfil modern requirements for access, warmth, and health and wellbeing.."