Plans to convert a boarded-up former bed shop in Lancaster into 24 student flats have taken a step forward after council planners gave them the thumbs up.
Lancaster City Council's planning team has recommended that permission be granted for the development at 5-11 Brock Street in the city centre.
Developer Inayat Munshi is seeking new permission to convert the upper floors into four cluster flats and 20 studio flats, as well as dormer roof extensions. The ground floor, formerly Bensons for Beds, would remain as a shop unit.
A council report published today said: "The proposal would renovate and bring a prominent local heritage asset back into use
"This would deliver retail and student accommodation, in a sustainable city centre location.
"Overall the alterations have limited adverse impact to the non-designated heritage asset building."
The site is the former Oddfellows Hall, built in 1844 as a meeting room with terraced back-to-back residential accommodation below.
The building is not listed, but is considered to be a non-designated heritage asset of local heritage importance.
Permission was granted to convert the building to student flats in 2014 but no work took place and the permission lapsed.
The studios would have a dedicated entrance off Mary Street with a new internal staircase and lift to serve the upper floors.
Two objections to the scheme have been received by members of the public.
Lancaster City Council planning regulatory committee, a group of elected councillors, will make the final decision on planning permission.
They will meet for talks on the plans on Monday March 25 at Morecambe Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public and starts at 10.30am.
Read more: New student flats plan for boarded-up former Lancaster bed shop - Beyond Radio
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