A PLAN to add an extra storey to a ‘gateway’ apartment block in Lowesmoor has been submitted – despite previous concerns over the height of the building.

The 40-bed apartment block in Silver Street was enthusiastically backed by Worcester City Council’s planning committee last September but a decision only came after the original plan for a six-storey building was reduced to five storeys.

Developer Khalid Hussain has now resubmitted the application with a hope to build a six-storey building – around 2.7 metres higher – largely in reaction to the neighbouring 98-bed apartment block which was approved in 2016 and is due to be built around the corner opposite St Martin’s Gate car park.

Mr Hussain said allowing the 98-bed apartment block – which would be two metres higher than the Silver Street apartment building – to be built had set the “contextual precedent” for the area.

The new rearranged plans include three extra rooms pushing the houses in multiple occupation (HMO) aspect of the apartment block up to 43 rooms plus an extra three apartments.

In the original approved application, permission was given to use the ground floor as a shop, restaurant, bar, pub or for professional and financial offices and for the remaining four floors to house 40 rooms as well as communal kitchens, bathrooms and toilets.

Plans to build office space and meeting rooms in the basement of the building have also been included.

New artist’s impressions included in the application show the top two storeys set back from the rest of the building which are said to make the building look less overbearing.

The original plan drew criticism from Historic England and council conservationist officers.

Historic England rejected the original six-storey application and the then approved five-storey plan saying it was “too big” for the area.

The heritage body said whilst it did not object to the principle of the development it wanted a rethink on the design and height of the building so it would fit in better with the “very sensitive” Lowesmoor Conservation Area.

Consultation on the new plan ends on April 15 and comments can be made via the planning section of the city council’s website.