UNIVERSITY plans to transform a former newspaper office into a teaching facility for medical students has been given the green light by the council.

The University of Worcester has had its plan to transform the former Worcester News building, known as Berrows House, in Hylton Road into dedicated space to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals, including through its proposed new Three Counties Medical School, backed by Worcester City Council planners.

The plans include a state-of-the-art anatomy laboratory, a suite of GP simulation rooms, and a range of general seminar and teaching rooms.

There will also be offices, break-out spaces for group study and a café.

The building is set to open at the end of 2022.

The university is hoping the new building will provide a centre for its planned Three Counties Medical School, which is currently progressing through the General Medical Council’s approvals and assessment procedures.

The university’s application is well advanced and is currently at stage four.

Professor David Green, the university's vice chancellor and chief executive, said: “The development of this facility will be key in providing inclusive and inspiring learning facilities to educate the next generation of health professionals that this country so badly needs.

"This new centre for health and medical education will bring much-needed jobs and prosperity to the city, creating hundreds of new opportunities to gain a first-class education and vital professional qualifications in a wide variety of health professions.”

Richard Wakeford, main board director at Stepnell and project sponsor, said: “We were delighted to be awarded this project through our framework agreement with the University after recently completing its Art House building.

"Our Midlands team, led by regional director Adrian Barnes, are committed to working in partnership with both the University and our local supply chain and we are really looking forward to delivering the Berrows House scheme to the highest possible standard.”

Mr Barnes added: “We’re incredibly excited about being involved in this project and supporting the University in creating high-quality teaching facilities for trainees. Now more than ever, we need to support investment in the healthcare sector - so providing essential learning spaces that contribute towards the development of the next generation of medical professionals is a great way for us to do this."