THE regeneration of the former Royal Worcester Porcelain site has cleared another hurdle after plans were approved to transform old buildings into offices and social housing.

Worcester City Council’s planning committee unanimously agreed the second stage of a planning application from developer Berkeley Homes to transform the porcelain works’ historic painting rooms into modern office accommodation.

The three-storey 19th century warehouse, which stands at the north west end of the site close to Severn Street and Mill Street, will have its original external appearance restored while undergoing a total renovation inside.

The city council’s head of urban environment John Wrightson said: “The new design includes the removal of unsightly additions which have adversely affected the building’s original intended appearance. The building facade would be sympathetically restored.”

Mr Wrightson said some of the historic building’s windows would have to be filled in, but that these were “necessary measures to achieve compliance with building regulation requirements.”

He said: “Following negotiations with the council’s conservation section, I consider the proposal is acceptable in terms of design and external appearance and would enhance the setting, character and appearance of the building, the surrounding development and the setting of the site.”

The committee also agreed the second phase of an application to convert adjoining buildings into 39 new affordable apartments.

The one and two-bedroom dwellings will be located in an L-shaped block near the centre of the site and in an old warehouse which was formerly the porcelain works’ finishing house. There will be 25 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom apartments, each with their own parking space.

Access will be from the Princes Drive/Severn Street junction only. Direct access to Mill Street will be prevented.