THE University of Worcester has outlined its plans to transform a key city centre site - saying it intends to open more teaching facilities as part of its ongoing expansion.

Professor David Green, the university's vice-chancellor, says he plans to continue with recent award-winning design work by revamping the Orchard House complex in Farrier Street.

As your Worcester News revealed last week, the site is currently the HQ of Worcester City Council but is being sold in a £3.1 million deal along with the Moors car park.

Your Worcester News can reveal that the university plans to turn Orchard House into a mixed-use facility, with office space for its staff, teaching rooms for a vast array of courses and learning hubs for students.

The Moors car park, meanwhile, which has around 100 parking spaces, will be used by teaching staff to help solve a dire shortage elsewhere.

The sale includes neighbouring buildings Wyatt House and Graveney House.

Professor Green, who is also the university's chief executive, said: "We will create new high quality, inclusive teaching and learning facilities and fully accessible office space.

"The city centre location of the complex will help the university further develop its extensive educational work for professionals and business people.

"The location of Orchard House, so close to the Hive and the university’s city campus makes it an excellent centre for further educational development.

"We won the 2012 award for the best retro-fit building in Britain and has just been nominated for more Green Gown awards than any other university in the country.

"We will refurbish the buildings in line with our award winning commitments to inclusion and sustainability."

The city council is intending to move all its staff to the ground floor of Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum by March 2015, which has been empty since The Hive opened two years ago.

Under the plans around £200,000 to £300,000 will be spent on kitting out the ground section into office space, but the museum's facilities will remain open as normal after the staff move in to occupy part of the site.