Plans to move Chester Cathedral's offices have now been approved.

The cathedral offices will soon move to the former Barclays bank on St Werburgh Street, which consists of two listed buildings that currently lie vacant.

The move forms part of Project Discovery, which seeks to increase the Cathedral's visibility and footfall.

In an application submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council last year, the report outlined proposed changes to the listed buildings.

It said: "The proposals seek to provide minor alterations associated with the re-occupation of both buildings by the cathedral for office use.

"It would provide much needed maintenance, upgrading of the offices to meet modern standards including access and would return the heritage assets to optimum viable use, securing their conservation in the long term.

"The proposals would return two substantial city centre assets back to full and active occupation."

The project will see minor alterations to the buildings to allow the new use of the site for office accommodation for the cathedral office.

The works are predominately internal, such as repairs, redecoration and refurbishment of modern bathroom and kitchen facilities.

The project will provide minor alterations associated with the re-occupation of both buildings for office use (Image via: Planning application)

Both buildings have been used as office space by Barclays bank since the 1960s.

The application highlighted the public benefits that would arise from the project.

It said: "The re-occupation of these two large historic buildings that are currently vacant would enable public benefits and improvement to the character and appearance of the conversation area.

It would "provide an active and optimum viable use of the buildings, which supports their long term repair and preservation, and supports on-going publicly funded initiatives for the sustainable re-use and regeneration of this part of the city centre."

Chester Cathedral confirmed the news, stating the staff will be moving from the end of this week into the new site on 30 St Werburgh Street.

Further works will be carried out throughout the start of this year.

The building will also be developed to provide community and exhibition space over the next year, forming plans and larger works to connect the building to the Cathedral as part of Project Discovery.

This wider project aims to benefit the wider city as a whole, driving the visitor economy, caring for the community and revitalising Chester's heritage.

The planning application can be found here.

You can also learn more about Project Discovery here.