A VICTORIAN townhouse will be turned into flats after a narrow vote in favour of new building plans.

The imposing 19th century property at 51 Battenhall Road, Worcester, has been the subject of heated arguments between fellow planners, with opponents of the scheme unhappy with perceived over-development of the site.

There were also concerns about the use of a new ‘green’ parking area at the front of the house with seven spaces.

Earlier in the year, planners agreed they were “minded to refuse” a scheme to build a two-storey apartment block in the house’s rear garden and sub-divide the main house into seven flats.

In August, planners met again and deferred the proposals, with officers recommending councillors approve the scheme in the Battenhall Villas conservation area.

But concerns were raised over the cost of possible legal bills if the developer sought a planning appeal judgement.

At a Worcester City Council planning meeting Councillor Alan Amos questioned how councillors could again oppose the plans but object on different reasons each time.

“We’ve been given a list of reasons for refusal and these are different to the reason given at the two previous committees,” he said.

“The legal advice we had last time was clear and I feel it would be unwise to waste any more time and money considering this scheme.”

But Barry MacKenzie-Williams said the objections had remained the same throughout. He said: “That is to protect the character of the conservation area. The primary objection has always been the change of character.”

He asked whether committee members could “condition items out” of planning permission, agreeing to the internal sub-division of the building but scrapping the front car park.

The council’s legal adviser Doreen Porter suggested councillors could not do so without triggering another round of consultations with residents.

“That would create a completely different scheme to that which is in front of you,” said Alan Coleman, senior planning officer.

Councillors agreed they were “minded to approve” plans by six votes to five with two abstentions.