AN EYESORE city centre nightclub will be demolished to make way for an 83-bed student accommodation building after plans were backed.

Worcester City Council’s planning committee approved an application for a seven-storey building on the site of the derelict former nightclub Images in The Butts.

Despite largely agreeing the site was “ideal” for student accommodation, some councillors criticised the design.

Councillor Pat Agar said she was very disappointed with the design especially as it would sit next to the Hive. Cllr Jenny Barnes said it “wasn’t very special” and Cllr Majory Bisset said it was “boring.”

Cllr Barnes said the ground floor of the building looked like it could be on any street in any part of the country.

Cllr Alan Amos said he was concerned The Butts, one of the city centre’s busiest and most congested roads, would be blocked by construction traffic if it was approved and voted against it. He also criticised the lack of car parking and failure to provide green space.

Cllr Mike Johnson said he was sympathetic about the disruption concerns in The Butts but the disturbance would be worth it if it meant the site could be developed.

The council’s planning committee approved the plan at a meeting in the Guildhall on Thursday (November 21).

Cllr Bill Amos said he supported the student flats because, if it was rejected, it would be pushing more students into houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in St John’s where residents had had enough.

The plan was first submitted by Rengen Developments and Worcester-based property developer Thorneloe Developments seven months ago and went through several changes.

The original 112-bed plan was altered to an 110-bed nine-storey plan to make the accommodation building the same height as The Hive.

A subsequent plan, put forward in May, asked for permission to build a 100-bed building but was soon reduced to 89 beds before finally settling on an 83-bed building.

Some concerned residents asked the council to reject a plan to demolish the former nightclub over fears it would cause too much disruption and destroy part of the city’s heritage.

Several objections were raised by neighbours and residents around the city concerned by the disruption it would cause with some calling it “inadequate and unneeded” and a “wasted opportunity.”

With the building located in the city centre and within walking distance of the University of Worcester, no car parking spaces would be provided. Worcestershire County Council’s highways department raised no objections to the plan and said it was an ideal location for a car-free development.