AN empty listed building looks set to be converted into apartments despite concerns about noise in the city centre.

A plan to convert International House in Pierpoint Street into 14 apartments was put forward last March.

Worcester City Council's planning committee meets next Thursday (March 25) with a report from its planning officers recommending it should be approved.

The application was submitted a year ago and was supposed to be decided in June last year.

The long delay was caused by talks with Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) over noise concerns for future residents with the building next to the Marrs Bar live music venue and nearby pubs.

WRS said it was worried that people living in the apartments would not be able to open their windows without being disturbed and had previously said the plan should be refused because apartments would be unsuitable for the area.

WRS has since withdrawn its objection and said it could support the application if measures were put in place to restrict noise.

A report by the council's planning officers said there was often a "trade-off"between noise and the convenience of living in the city centre.

The size of the flats vary between 28 square metres and 61 square metres - six of which would be smaller than the 37 square metres national standard.

International House was built in 1830 and was the city's first purpose-built public library.

The building went through a number of uses including a motor showroom in the early 1950s. It was later used by major city mail-order catalogue Kay's from the mid-60s to the mid-80s, latterly as a photography studio.

The building then became offices for Discover Britain magazine before becoming vacant for a number of years.