DEMOLISHING an "increasingly rare" historic former city music hall would be like throwing away a future tourist attraction, a conservation charity has claimed.

The Victorian Society has criticised a plan to demolish Lowesmoor’s Vesta Tilley House to make way for hundreds of apartments, shops and offices and has called for Worcester City Council to reject it.

The major revamp of Lowesmoor Wharf by Godwin Developments and Lowesmoor Regeneration would include bars, restaurants and cafes, shops, hundreds of apartments and offices to create a new bustling canalside destination in Worcester.

The enormous project includes 271 apartments as well as more than a thousand square metres of space for shops and restaurants and more than 3,500 square metres of office space.

Joe O’Donnell, director of the Victorian Society Director, said the body was objecting to the plans in “the strongest possible terms”.

“The sensitive redevelopment of Lowesmoor canal basin could preserve and enhance the conservation area’s character,” he said.

“However, the current proposals are as far away from sensitive as it is possible to get. Since the 1980s Lowesmoor has seen a gradual erosion of historic buildings.

“Worcester should learn from its past and cherish historic buildings like this increasingly rare former music hall.

“This potential tourist attraction should not be swept away for buildings which, in due course, are likely to become as hated for their inappropriate location as Elgar House in front of Shrub Hill station.”

The society says the plans are “grossly out of scale” and will be submitting listing applications to ensure Vesta Tilley House is not demolished.

“The proposed buildings are grossly out of scale with the surrounding area and the Cathedral city’s low-rise skyline,” it said.

“The rich history of the former music hall, and its strong links with a locally born international star, should be respected and the historic fabric protected. “

Historic England, Save Britain’s Heritage, the Twentieth Century Society, the Ancient Monuments Society and the Council for British Archaeology have all objected to the plans.

Vesta Tilley House was built as the New Concert Hall in 1869 and became a Salvation Army Citadel in 1881.

The society says Vesta Tilley House is a “rare example of an early purpose-built music hall” and “the building’s national value is further increased because of its association with Vesta Tilley, the internationally famous music hall star born in the city.”

Vesta Tilley was one of the most famous male impersonators of her era and is said to have been the highest-earning woman in the 1890s.

A spokesman for Godwin Developments said: “Worcester is a historic city with a unique character and rich heritage that has been built over many centuries. We respect the passion and commitment of its residents and members of historic built environment organisations nationally for preserving and enhancing the city.

“We share this commitment and want to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to develop a scheme that will be an asset to the city, help it to grow and prosper in the future, and be as responsive to its heritage as possible.

“We are engaged with a number of the consultees for Lowesmoor Wharf – the Victorian Society, the Worcester Conservation Society, Historic England, Save Britain’s Heritage, Council for British Archaeology, the Theatres Trust and others – and are reviewing the feedback they have provided to date. We look forward to working constructively with them, in order to deliver the best possible outcome for Worcester and its residents.”