ONE of Worcester’s oldest buildings is set for further modernisation as it prepares to become the official workplace of the Bishop of Worcester.

The grade one listed Old Palace on Deansway is to be fitted out with a new suite of offices for the Rt Rev Dr John Inge, who became the 113th Bishop of Worcester in March, and his administrative staff.

Bishop John is the first holder of the post in many years to reside in Worcester itself, following the Church Commissioners’ decision to put former residence Hartlebury Castle up for sale.

The 13th-century palace is seen as one of the most architecturally important buildings in the city, and the diocese’s efforts to renovate it in preparation for the bishop’s arrival have proved troublesome. Earlier this year a scheme to modernise its kitchen was rejected by Worcester City Council for not showing enough sensitivity to the property, following objections from English Heritage.

A revised plan was finally agreed earlier this month.

The church has spent the past 15 months consulting heavily with an array of heritage organisations to ensure its latest renovation proposals are successful.

“The length of the negotiations reflects the size, complexity and sensitivity of the proposed works,” the city’s senior planning officer Alan Coleman states in his report.

“This has now culminated in the submission of an amended scheme that has sought to address the issues and concerns raised.”

The submitted plans include various redecoration and plastering works, the removal and erection of partition walls, the opening of a previously closed-off entrance to the palace, the bricking up of a window and installation of a disabled toilet.

The church also wants “all fixings to be made into modern materials and surfaces, rather than the historic fabric, where possible”.

A final decision on whether to allow the renovation will be made by the city’s planning committee tomorrow. Recommending the scheme for approval, the city’s head of urban environment John Wrightson states: “I am satisfied the proposed works have been carefully considered in terms of their design, methodology and practicalities...

“(They) provide a sympathetic and largely reversible solution to the extensive problems that arise from undertaking works of this nature in a grade one listed building.

“On balance, I am of the opinion they would not have an unacceptable adverse effect upon the fabric, character and setting of the building.”