A £50M transformation of an historic part of Worcester looks set to be approved despite objections to the demolition of part of the Victorian vinegar works.

Plans to transform Lowesmoor Trading Estate into a major retail and leisure attraction were submitted to the city council last August.

And, after a painstaking consultation process between property developer CR Chelverton and city planners, the ambitious proposals are ready to go before the council's planning committee.

Principal planning officer Peter Yates supports the proposals, which include a 237,000 sq ft shopping centre, a 60-room hotel, 18 apartments, a health and fitness centre and a restaurant.

"I hope it goes ahead," he said. "It is an important development for Worcester because it will allow the centre's commercial heart to leap over City Walls Road and expand into the east."

But principal conservation officer Will Scott said there was no justification for demolishing the Fermenting House, part of Hill Evans & Co Vinegar Works, which was in use from 1830 to 1968.

"It is considered necessary to demolish the building to enable sufficient car parking," he said.

"But I think it should be possible to do it without losing the Fermenting House, which was a key component in the process at the vinegar works."

The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) has also objected to the demolition, arguing that it will destroy an important part of the city's history.

"We do not believe that a proper balance has yet been reached which would allow development on the site without the loss of worthy buildings and industrial history," said Dr Malcolm Nixon, a correspondent for the CBA who lives in Worcester.

Carl Richardson, director of Richardson Developments, which owns CR Chelverton, said a balance had to be found when regenerating run-down industrial sites.

"We are proposing to remove one of the buildings but we are retaining half a dozen others," he said.

Mr Richardson said that leaving the Fermenting House standing would mean the shopping centre would not be viable because it would block it from public view.

The full council will make the final decision on the proposals, but the planning committee will make its recommendation on Thursday, May 22.