A FORMER undertakers will be turned into flats after new plans were backed by the council.

Fair Construction finally had its plan to revamp a utility and coffin storage area behind a grade II-listed former undertakers in St John's backed by Worcester City Council.

The plans were rejected by the council last year and an appeal was later thrown out by a government inspector.

Fair Construction returned with a new plan after the two rejections said the flats would be too small.

The developer had its appeal to the government's planning inspectorate to overturn the decision rejected in September last year because both apartments would have been below the national minimum size of 37 square metres for one-bed flats.

Fair Construction then put forward new plans to convert the former undertakers with one flat increasing to 57 square metres.

The developer said both flats would be better lit but one would still be 34 square metres in size.

The government planning inspector did say the size of the flats and the lack of windows would make them "enclosed" and "overbearing" with his report adding that the flats had a "subterranean" look which would be harmful to anybody living in them.

The inspector also said that despite a neighbouring flat being of a similar size, the council's refusal could still not be overturned.

Fair Construction had argued the size of the apartments would only the same as others in the area including 27-square-metre and 33-square-metre flats in Swanpool Walk which made the below-standard size insignificant.

Rejecting the flats last year, council planning officers said the apartments, which measured 34 and 35 square metres, could not be approved because they were too small and would provide an "unacceptable" environment for future tenants.

Planners said both apartments would be below the national minimum size of 37 square metres.

The listed building, which dates back to the 18th century, has been empty for more than four years.