ONE of Worcester's most important industrial landmarks is to be transformed into a restaurant and wine bar - despite objections from local heritage groups.

Diners will be able to enjoy an evening out surrounded by relics of Worc-ester's porcelain past after the Worcester City Coun-cil's planning committee agreed to the renovation and change of use of the former Bone Mill at the Royal Worcester Porcelain site in Severn Street.

The mill is viewed as a building of national importance, with its mid-19th-century grinding machinery still intact and its distinctive red-brick chimney offering a permanent rem-inder of the city centre's industrial heritage.

The 150-year-old building has been empty for the past 20 years and its exterior is starting to crumble. Coun-cillors were delighted to find a use they felt would allow full public access while maintaining its imp-ortant sense of history.

Councillor David Tibbutt, the Tory cabinet member for urban renaissance, said: "This will be an enormous visitor attraction for our economy.

"There are many examples around the country, most notably in London, where similar changes have been made to historic buildings with great success. I'm satisfied the fabric of the building will be preserved and I think it will be a great asset to this city."

A previous application was withdrawn by Berkeley Homes earlier this year after concerns were raised about plans to remove some of the vast grinding pans from the mill's interior.

The developer has now agreed to retain all six of the unique pans within the restaurant. In so doing it has won support for the scheme from English Heritage.

However, this concession was not enough to persuade local conservationists.

Worcester's Conservation Areas Committee, Industrial Archaeological Society and the Civic Society all suggested the building should remain empty until an alternative use is found.

Michael McCurdy, the groups' representative, said: "This building should be a museum, and by approving this you are restricting what you can do in the future.

"It has been empty for the past 20 years, a few more surely won't hurt."

But the councillors dismissed the objections after hearing that the existing porcelain museum had no wish to extend its premises, and did not want a competing museum opening next door.

Labour councillor Paul Denham said: "I wouldn't want to see an important piece of our history just standing there until someone comes along with the perfect plan. We could be waiting a long time."