Bromsgrove residents have slammed the council's "ridiculous" plans to create a new community hub at the former Market Hall site. 

The plans, which were submitted by the North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration (NWEDR) on behalf of Bromsgrove District Council, will see a new four-storey building developed containing high-quality and flexible office space as well as bars and restaurants.

There will also be a pavilion building for hosting exhibitions and cultural and community events all surrounded by an outdoor public space.

Despite providing an opportunity to redevelop the town centre, residents have voiced their concerns about the proposals including fears that the new food outlets will impact smaller businesses and cafes in the area.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: The plans have come under fire from some residents The plans have come under fire from some residents (Image: council)

Resident Mark Ingram said: “I genuinely think the proposal for the Market Hall site as it stands will not work at all and the design is too modern and intrusive for that particular area. 

“Like so many people have said, if we cannot let out all the retail and office space in the town centre now what is the point of building more." 

Another resident, Ali Lambden, said: "There are several cafes in town run by small local businesses that would be threatened by the restaurants that are planned." 

On social media, Joe Smith, added: "Ridiculous white elephant plan. Why not put the money into running the Artrix properly which everyone wants? It brought people into the town." 

The new town centre site will be funded through a £14.5m grant secured by the council from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. 

For the last four years BirdBox, an event and community space, has used the site but is set to be replaced with the new development subject to planning permission. 

Bromsgrove Advertiser: The council said all comments will be considered in the planning process The council said all comments will be considered in the planning process (Image: Bromsgrove District Council)

In response to some of the community reaction to the plans, a spokesperson for Bromsgrove District Council said: "We cannot comment on individual feedback but these comments will be considered as part of the planning process.

"We can say that the Council was successful in securing the £14.5m of Levelling Up Funds to pay for this development, which is subject to planning permission being secured, and the clearance of Windsor Street, which is great news for the District and its residents.

"The money can only be spent to develop brownfield sites so cannot be used in the High Street or on anything else apart from these sites and public realm around them.

"However we are promoting monies which are available to local businesses in our town and district centres via the UKSPF which can be used to make improvements."

For more information about UKSPF visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/enhancementgrant