A CANAL-SIDE Georgian mill on the Royal Worcester porcelain works site is to be converted into apartments.

Multi-million pound plans to regenerate the run-down Albion Mill, in Mill Street, were backed by Worcester City Council's planning committee at a meeting last night.

The former flour mill, which was built in 1815, will now be converted into 38 apartments.

The joint application by Royal Worcester and property developer, Chase Midland, also includes eight new-build apartments and 20 affordable housing units.

City planners had received 29 letters of objection from local residents who were mainly concerned about the impact the new development would have on traffic and parking problems.

But principal planning officer, Peter Yates, told members that highways engineers did not feel the impact was significant enough to recommend that the plans be rejected.

Some committee members were worried about giving over one acre of employment land to housing.

"I think the major issue is to balance the loss of employment land with the use of the building," said Councillor Jo Hodges.

"We have heard that the building has been empty for five years - it is derelict, it is an eyesore and it is in need of regeneration," she added.