PLANS for a replacement for a factory, which burned down a year ago, have been given the go-ahead.

It just just a few minutes for councillors to approve an application to build a new warehousing facility for Arrow XL at the Blackpole East trading estate, on Blackpole Road.

Arrow XL wants to use the warehouse for its 'two-man' delivery service where they take large household items directly to buyers on behalf of companies including Amazon, Asda and Shop Direct.

Councillor Chris Mitchell, chairman of the committee, said that the finish of the proposed warehouse, which is slightly larger than the building it will replace, is a great improvement.

He said: “Modern warehouses are no longer built with bare walls, they look much better now as anyone who drives much on motorways will have seen.”

Councillor Roger Berry added: “Anything would be better than what’s there now.” He was referring to the charred remains of the warehouse which was destroyed last April.

After the application was approved unanimously, Chris Hall, who works for SJS, the management property company run by Arrow XL’s parent company, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the decision particularly the speed and efficiency with which the city council’s planning offers have dealt with our application.

“We can now move on to the next stage which is to begin constructions.”

Mr Hall added that he hoped building works at the site would begin in late June or July.

He said after a 12 month build and a short period of fitting out, the distribution operations run by Arrow XL could start again in Autumn 2019.

Arrow XL is a sister company to delivery company Yodel, but deals with larger items. Bulky items, such as sofas or fridges, ordered online, will be delivered to the Worcester warehouse and then distributed in smaller vehicles with two man crews across the midlands.

The company’s building caught fire a year ago during the morning of April 20, when 70 firefighters including crews from Redditch and Bromsgrove, were called to the blaze which totally gutted the warehouse. All staff working in the building were safely evacuated and there were no injuries.

The decision was made by Worcester City Council’s planning committee.