AN 'ugly' building which is set to be the new joint home of the council's customer services team and the Job Centre Plus service is to get a makeover – despite claims the new look will not be good enough.

Herefordshire Council's planning department agreed to the move at a meeting last Wednesday, despite objections from Hereford City Council and Hereford Civic Society which branded the scheme 'disgraceful'.

It means the council’s customer services hub will relocate around 100 yards from its current home in Franklin House just five years after moving there from the now demolished Garrick House, further along Blueschool Street, which itself only housed the hub from February 2007.

Questions were raised at last week's meeting about why plans for a 'tree-lined boulevard' along Blueschool Street – pitched by Edgar Street Grid bosses some time ago – had not been implemented. This, they were told, was because of a lack of money.

John Bothamley, chairman of Hereford Civic Society, said: "The ESG so far has only delivered the retail and nothing else. We understand there's a recession but it doesn't mean we should step back and accept a half-hearted approach.”

He said Civic Society members felt Hereford had turned a corner and was moving forward but that the design and access statement submitted alongside the application did not mention either the conservation area the site was in, or that it was opposite the City Wall scheduled ancient monument.

Cllr Terry James said the move marked the end of a 'very long saga' and said the council had been trying to find an appropriate site for years.

The building, the council heard, would be in red cladding as opposed to grey as previously suggested.

Cllr Liz Harvey said: “I don't think it matters what colour you paint it, it would be somewhat similar to painting lipstick on a pig. I think we would be better off without it.

"The fact it's not the council's money that will mainly be spent is neither here or there. DWP is still public money and we should spend it wisely and well.”

She said that while she applauded the two functions coming together she believed the council could do better and should do better.

Cllr Felicity Norman added: "I recognise the need for these changes and the improvements and the location seems very sensible certainly, as it's been said, the current conditions are pretty dreadful.

"Improvements must be a good thing but that doesn't explain the appalling quality of what is being offered and the visual problems we would have if we go ahead with this."

However, many members said they felt the scheme was making the best out of a bad situation.

A total of 10 members voted in favour of approving the plans, five were against and one abstained.