PLANS for a new apartment block close to the historic centre of Malvern will be coming before district councillors next week.

I E Developments of Hereford has applied for permission to build the block of six two-bed flats at 10-12 Priory Road, next to the Splash leisure pool and backing on to Priory Park.

The application also includes demolishing the existing 12 Priory Road and building a three-bedroom house in its place, and refurbishing and extending 10 Priory Road.

The plan has around objections from the Victorian Society, Historic England and several local residents. Among their reasons are the adverse impact on the Conservation Area and that existing houses will be overlooked, and also that the site has not been allocated for development.

But others wrote to say the proposal is an improvement to a site deemed "an eyesore" and that "the current site has the feel of a derelict quarry".

At a meeting of Malvern Hills District Council's southern area development control committee on Wednesday, November 15, planning officers are recommending approval, saying that the "public benefits of providing eight high quality residential units in a highly sustainable location carries substantial weight in the overall balance".

The buildings were originally cottages, and one of them later became a council office. However they have been unoccupied in recent years.