PLANS to turn a commercial site into homes and a health centre have angered Herts Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The organisation is leading opposition to plans for a residential development on the former Mastercare site at Wedgewood Way and Martins Wa

PLANS to turn a commercial site into homes and a health centre have angered Herts Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The organisation is leading opposition to plans for a residential development on the former Mastercare site at Wedgewood Way and Martins Way in Pin Green Industrial Area in Stevenage.

The proposals include an enhanced primary care centre - a healthcare facility - built for the North Herts and Stevenage Primary Care Trust.

A chamber spokesman said: "We will be strongly opposing the plans, a view supported by businesses in the Pin Green area, and calling for the proposal to be refused in order to allow this site to provide future employment opportunities for Stevenage.

"Pin Green is one of Stevenage's key and long-established employment sites and if the change of use is granted this significant piece of commercial land will be lost forever for employment use."

John McBride the chamber's Stevenage and North Herts Branch manager said: "The chamber fully appreciates, and supports, the need for more housing in Stevenage. However a number of Brownfield sites have recently become available for residential use and further sites are due to come forward which will help address this need.

"The growing population of the town will require increased employment opportunities and it is therefore essential that this large commercial site is retained for future employment use."

An NHS spokesman refused to comment on the opposition and said it was still waiting for Stevenage Borough Council to let them know when the application will be decided.