SHOCK plans have been revealed to build 20 new flats on the site of three city businesses.

An application has been submitted to convert buildings currently occupied by Legends Gym, Kitchen World and The Pits Duggan’s Motor Services, in Henwick Road, St John's into housing.

But the plans, submitted by Boligold Ltd, have been slammed by one of the businesses at the site and a local councillor, who has labelled them "crazy".

Staff at Legends say they only found out about the planning application, submitted by Jason Clines, of Boligold Ltd, when they received a letter earlier this week.

When the Worcester News visited Legends yesterday the gym's owner, who refused to give his name, said he would be opposing the plans.

"It’s ruined this place. I found out about two days ago by letter," he said.

“The plan hasn’t been agreed yet. I have got another unit lined up so business is safeguarded.”

A manager at Kitchen World also said they would likely oppose the application, as they do not plan on moving.

The application, submitted to Worcester City Council this week, is to convert the areas currently occupied by the businesses into 17 studio and three one-bedroom flats and create a new entrance lobby.

There is no provision for car parking in the plans, but agent, JBD Architects, says the flats would be in a "sustainable" central location where residents would have less reliance on cars and be able to reach shops and key facilities on foot.

But Cllr Richard Udall, who sits on the district and county council, says the lack of parking would make existing problems worse.

“This has to win an award for one of the most badly thought out and crazy planning applications I have ever seen," he said.

“I will do all within my power to stop this misplaced, ill-judged and harmful application from proceeding.”

He said the development would exacerbate parking problems in the area, threaten the businesses currently in the building and put jobs at risk.

“The applicant needs to stop, think again and consider other options, hopefully with new ideas that will create jobs, not destroy them,” Cllr Udall said.

“Twenty flats with the ultimate capacity of up to 40 cars will have a real impact.

“The new residents would have to fight it out with existing residents to claim the few spaces that are available.

“It is simply unfair, not right and would be damaging to existing residents and their businesses.”

The Pits Duggan’s Motor Services said it is aware of the plans but did not want to comment.