PLANS to open an ice cream parlour and cafe as part of a new events building at a city farm look set to be approved.

The planned expansion of Manor Farm, off Malvern Road, includes a new single-storey modern barn building with outdoor seating to be used as a venue for a range of events including weddings, wakes, markets and workshops.

Planners at Worcester City Council have recommended the plan is approved when its planning committee meets on Thursday (August 22).

Councillor Alan Amos, who represents Bedwardine where the farm is located, called the application to the planning committee due to “longstanding serious concerns by neighbouring residents about the extent of piecemeal and unauthorised development” on the site.

PLAN: Manor Farm's plan to build new events building in Worcester

Bennetts, who has owned the farm for almost 100 years, also hopes to hire the building out to schools, scouts and other local groups.

The ‘rustic’ T-shaped modern barn building would accommodate around 150 people and would be of a similar height to a temporary marquee currently used for weddings.

The expected opening hours of the events building would be 7am to midnight and the ice cream parlour and cafe would open between 9am and 5pm.

The farm sees the expansion as a chance to support other local businesses when it hosts weddings and also intends to source from local breweries and stock its cafe with locally produced goods and products.

The plan received mix responses from neighbours during consultation with some welcoming the expansion whilst others raised concerns about noise and light pollution as well as the increase in traffic.

The Environment Agency objected because it opposes development on floodplains.