Plans to knock down the former Sainsbury's store in Gloucester and build 55 flats look set to be approved.

However the developers will have to stick to a list of 48 conditions drawn up by council officers to ensure it does not harm the city centre.

Proposals by London-based Clarehouse Developments tipped to total £6m would see the 3,911sqm building at 63-69 Northgate Street erased from the cityscape.

It would be replaced by three residential blocks ranging from three to five storeys high with a 121sqm retail unit fronting into Northgate Street.

The famous mural on the side of the building by Henry and Joyce Collins would be removed by specialists and relocated to The Northgate Street entrance foyer.

The plans are due before Gloucester City Council on Tuesday (Mar 5) and have been recommended for approval by officers.

Their report said: "Proposals that help deliver the regeneration strategies for the city centre will be supported; in this regard the proposal would reutilise a largely vacant unit (current temporary tenant notwithstanding) and bring residents and associated spend into the centre, while retaining an option of a frontage unit in the primary shopping area."

The Sainsbury's store opened for business in 1970 with an event attended by Sir John Sainsbury himself. It closed in 2021 despite a heavily supported public petition to keep it open.

Most recently it has been occupied by furniture retailer Abode but the proposals would oust them and see most of the retail space lost.

The report by officers raised concerns about a detrimental effect on the "vitality" of the shopping area and the "challenge" of attracting a long-term tenant to the ground-floor retail unit.

The site is owned by Mountcharm Ltd. which appointed Rackham planning and Factor 9 Design to create the scheme.

It would include 34 one-beds, 19 two-beds and two three- beds, of which 11 homes would be affordable.

The development has been designed to be car-free but two disabled spaces have been proposed off the Hare Lane car park.

Officers said: "Future residents would have good opportunities to access transport hubs and local facilities via non car-borne means and the site provides a good opportunity to maximise density and reduce reliance on cars."

They said the Hare Lane south car park provides 97 spaces and the Kings Walk car park and future Forum car park would provide options for visitor parking.

Four letters from residents were received by the council with concerns raised about the redevelopment "exacerbate existing difficulties for pedestrians on Pitt Street", noise and dust caused by the building works, the lack of parking and the impact on Raven Centre elderly persons centre.

Officers said overall the scheme was "broadly consistent with the relevant policies and guidance" and did not need to accord with every one.

The report added: "The limited plan policy conflicts in relation to retail and to preserving built heritage are considered to be outweighed by the benefits of the scheme."

The application 22/01181/FUL is due to be decided by the planning committee.