A HISTORIC Stourport building looks likely to be demolished after planners voted in favour of a scheme to replace it with nine new flats.

Wyre Forest District Council's planning (development control) committee voted in favour of John Martyn Construction's bid to knock down the Drill Hall on Lion Hill at its meeting on Tuesday night.

English Heritage is expected to make a decision soon on whether to spot list the 100-year-old building - which was the last port of call in Stourport for conscripts in the First World War - although this would not automatically prevent it from being demolished.

Stourport town councillors last week voted 9-4 to recommend refusal of the scheme, which would see a three-storey building erected on the site of the Drill Hall. This would be connected to an existing neighbouring building by an archway.

Highways chiefs also recommended refusal, while Stourport Civic Society is keen to see the hall preserved.

But planning officer Quita Morgan said the site was allocated for residential development and dismissed highway fears as the plan would be in line with guidance to provide high-density residential development close to town centres.

The committee approved the plan, subject to no new objections being raised during the re-consultation period.