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The former home of BBC Birmingham could become a new NHS dental hospital and school. Plans for a six-storey building at the former Pebble Mill Studios are being recommended for approval by Birmingham City Council planning officers.

The six-storey, 172,222 sq ft building would replace the current NHS dental site adjoining the Birmingham Children's Hospital in the city centre.

It would employ about 450 staff and have a total of 670 students training at one time.

An application for outline planning consent is being sought by Worcestershire-based architects' practice One Creative Environments on behalf of BaS Lift and Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

Proposals for the dental hospital and school also include associated research and development and teaching facilities, offices and restaurant. Access, parking for 292 vehicles and landscaping has also been requested.

A Birmingham City Council planning officer's report said that the current dental hospital and school buildings are "now deemed obsolete functionally and financially for the occupiers".

The Pebble Mill site previously housed the BBC Birmingham offices but has lain vacant since the corporation moved into the Mailbox in 2005.

Officers have recommended the dental hospital and school scheme for approval, stating: "The proposed dental hospital and school of dentistry would provide a significant, new medical and training facility for the city and region, providing dental care, teaching and research, with employment for approximately 450 main staff.

"It would provide a major impetus to development at the long-vacant Pebble Mill site, with a scale of development and effect on transportation matters and local amenities within reasonable bounds."

The proposals are set to go before councillors next Thursday (17 November).

The Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry is one of ten in England, and the sole facility in the West Midlands.