Plans for a £10m revamp of student flats in a former mill in Lancaster look set to be given the green light.
Lancaster City Council officers have recommended the scheme at Mill Hall on Moor Lane be given planning permission, with conditions.
Under the plans, the building would be converted from 96-bedroom student flats to 62 high standard studio apartments.
A new three storey front extension linking the Mill and annexe, and cafe open to students and the wider public would also be created.
Mill Hall is owned by Afar Properties Limited and managed through Unipad Management Limited—both under the ownership of local developer Anas Mister.
A spokesperson for Unipad Management Ltd said the plans would "modernise an existing student accommodation block that has fallen into disrepair, delivering significant benefits for local residents, creating jobs, and preserving the city’s industrial heritage".
The Grade II listed Mill Hall was built as a steam-powered worsted mill in 1819 by Thomas Higgin & Co and subsequently operated by Gregs of Styal and then Storey Brothers.
The building was converted into a cotton spinning factory by 1828, and to student accommodation in 1988-89.
"This multistorey property has a dominating presence in the townscape, as one of several impressive mills in the area," said a council report published this week.
"The proposal for the refurbishment and alteration of existing student accommodation to form higher standard studio student apartments is considered to be policy compliant in principle.
Below, an image of how the cafe might look.
"The proposal aligns with the aims of the Canal Quarter Area, bringing regeneration to this important city centre site.
"Whilst resulting in fewer bedrooms, as student accommodation for cluster flats is calculated on a basis of three bedrooms equating to one housing units, and student studio accommodation is considered to be one housing unit in itself, the proposal would make a modest contribution to meeting the district's housing needs.
"The proposal would achieve social and economic benefits from the development, which are afforded moderate weight.
"Importantly, through high-quality contemporary design, massing and materials are considered sympathetic to the Mills and surrounding area.
Below, how the revamped Mill Hall could look.
"The proposal would make a bold impact, but one that is considered to be neutral impact upon heritage assets, subject to planning conditions ensuring suitably high-quality details and samples.
"Surface water drainage, sustainable design and travel, highway impacts, ecology and noise can all be controlled and appropriately mitigated through planning conditions.
"Subject to such conditions, this will ensure these matters are also neutral in planning balance.
"As such, and on balance, it is considered that there are no adverse impacts identified that would significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal."
Lancaster City Council planning regulatory committee - a group of elected councillors who will make the final decision on the planning application - will meet to discuss the plans on Monday June 23 at Morecambe Town Hall.
The meeting starts at 10.30am and is open to the public.
You can read the council report HERE.
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