THIS huge creation of steel, glass and cladding could soon be rising near a key gateway into the centre of Worcester.

The plan by housing association Sanctuary Homes to build a new headquarters block for 500 staff in Farrier Street will be decided on Thursday – the next meeting of Worcester City Councils planning committee.

And the building scheme, which could see as many as 500 jobs created in the city, has been recommended for approval by the city council’s deputy director for planning and economic development.

The office block could be built on the cleared site of a former Suzuki car showroom and workshop, which is next to the existing buildings used by Sanctuary Homes.

The application by Sanctuary said: “The development will also see a brownfield site, currently vacant, brought back into use. This will be of benefit to the appearance of the local area and the adjacent conservation area.”

An artist’s impression of the building shows a combination of red terracotta cladding panels, glass and metal ribbing. It is designed to echo Sanctuary’s existing building on the site.

The application emphasises Sanctuary’s desire to have Worcester as its headquarters city.

A spokesman for the housing association group told the Worcester News: “We love Worcester, it’s a fantastic place to work and we are proud to be based here. If this planning application is approved, it will give us the option of expanding the organisation in the future. We already employ more than 1,500 people in Worcestershire and we are always looking for further opportunities to invest in the local area.”

The prospect of more jobs is just one of the aspects of the scheme which led the Guildhall planners to recommend it is approved.

The report to councillors says: “This proposal which would aid the provision of office accommodation for quality office jobs within a sustainable city centre location and will bring a currently vacant brownfield site into use”.

It adds: “I am satisfied that the proposed design fits easily on the site, reflecting design elements found within the surrounding area in a modern and refreshing approach and being an exact resubmission of the scheme previously benefitting from consent.

“I am of the opinion that the design approach will actually visually lift the surrounding area.”

The planning committee will meet at 1.30pm on Thursday June 28.