WORCESTER City Council's big HQ relocation has finally been given the go-ahead - sparking a revamp of the art gallery and museum building.

The planning committee has given the green light to the project, which will see workers decamp from their existing Orchard House offices to the historic museum in Foregate Street.

The backing follows a move in July to flog the Orchard House complex, off Farrier Street, to the University of Worcester resulting in a windfall totalling £3.1 million for taxpayers.

The relocation was unanimously backed by the committee yesterday despite some concerns from English Heritage.

It was also criticised by the council's own Conservation committee, which said it would be "detrimental to the character of the building" and instead suggested the museum should be expanded.

English Heritage's main concern was around the toilets, but it decided to not formally object.

Under the plans, the museum and gallery upstairs will remain open, with only the ground floor, which is largely empty after The Hive opened, taken up by council staff.

The authority has until March to vacate Orchard House, and will now be able to start refurbishing the building in an estimated £300,000 project to get it ready.

A report for the committee said the Grade II listed building will get meeting rooms, larger toilets, and upgraded IT facilities as well as a front counter on the ground floor.

Senior planning officer Alan Coleman, speaking during the meeting, said: "We've sought to minimise the level of intrusion to this building to accommodate that ground floor."

Councillor Jo Hodges said: "The last time I went into this building the area we are talking about was used for the storage of pictures, some of them very valuable indeed.

"What will happen to those paintings?"

Mr Coleman said: "I don't want to give you the impression anyone will be kicked out of the building, it will remain shared, as it's the ground floor the council is relocating to."

As part of the deal with the university, a car park is being handed over on a 20-year lease, with the university paying a £260,000 upfront premium and a peppercorn fee of £1 per year.

The sale includes neighbouring buildings Wyatt House and Graveney House.