MORE homes will be built at Worcester's historic Heron Lodge - as a developer embroiled in a dispute with council chiefs secured permission to expand the site.

Property investor Richard Rosebourne, who is developing the rest of the 19th century lodge, has been handed the green light for two extra semi-detached homes.

It came as Worcester City Council issued a fresh warning over the site's wrecked orangery, saying it must be restored.

Back in November 2012 the council approved a plan to convert the Grade II listed main building, off London Road, into four luxury homes.

It came with a strict condition that the historic Victorian greenhouse, known as an 'orangery' and believed to be one of last original ones still standing in Britain, must be repaired and restored to its former glories.

Since then the structure has flattened to rubble, outraging civic leaders, with Mr Rosebourne embroiled in a dispute over whether it was pulled down or simply fell apart, as he claims.

The city council has threatened legal action unless it is rebuilt piece-by-piece, and the planning committee has now given him permission for the two additional properties which will sit adjacent to the lodge.

Heron Lodge was built as one of a group of villas for Rear Admiral Herbert Brace Powell, who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars.

Heron Lodge dates back to 1823 and sits in the Lark Hill Conservation Area.

The two new properties, which will be bungalows, were nodded through despite two written objections citing 'over-development'.

Councillor Mike Johnson, speaking during the planning committee meeting, said: "Just so we're clear, this is the same applicant who has previously not delivered on a condition (to restore the greenhouse) laid down by this committee.

"I understand it's nothing to do with this application, but it makes a mockery when a developer pleads poverty and we just accept it."

Councillor David Wilkinson said: "Can't we say work on these new homes cannot start until the orangey is restored?"

Alan Coleman, a senior planning officer, said the new bungalows were just outside the land boundary with the orangery, but told the committee the council was "in control" of it.

Councillor Robert Rowden said: "My conclusion is that this is probably an acceptable scheme."

Mr Rosebourne, who was present at the meeting, chose not to address the committee but on the way out reiterated to your Worcester News that it "fell down".

Paul O'Connor, head of planning at the city council, has already said the developer "recognises what happened, should not have happened" and has demanded that a like-for-like replacement must be erected.