Plans to convert the former YMCA building in Lancaster into 17 student flats have been approved.
Lancaster City Council planning regulatory committee gave planning permission for the scheme, at a meeting on Monday at Morecambe Town Hall.
The five-storey building in Fleet Square, New Road, close to Lancaster Bus Station, will now be changed into 17 studio flats for students.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of this, and a subsequent listed building application.
The former corn mill and warehouse building dates from around 1881 and is grade II listed.
It was occupied by various owners until W & J Pye ceased trading in 1997.
The building was then unused until purchased in 2001 by the YMCA, which ran a service there offering activities for young people until 2023.
From 2006 to 2012, the premises was also home to community radio station Diversity FM, the forerunner of Beyond Radio.
In June 2023, the building was offered for sale on the open market and was subsequently acquired by MHO Mayar.
The developers have agreed to pay £9381.45 towards improvements in Ryelands Park, as part of the proposal.
Council officers had recommended the scheme be given the go-ahead.
During the debate on Monday at Morecambe Town Hall, Councillor Dave Brookes from the planning committee (below) asked if there was an "oversupply of student bedrooms" in Lancaster.
"Residents despair that almost every development that comes forward is for students rather than open market rental," said Councillor Brookes.
Mark Jackson, planning officer, replied that there was "no evidence to suggest that there isn't a market there for student accommodation".
"This particular building certainly lends itself to student accommodation," said Mr Jackson.
Proposing that the scheme be approved, Councillor Martin Bottoms (below) said: "It's a very important building within the city centre.
"Lancaster University is a huge employer. it brings £2bn to the local economy each year.
"We need to be welcoming students. We know there are a lot of people who say 'student accommodation again' but there is a requirement for it. The university is continuing to expand."
Councillor Brookes then said: "I will support this, but I really do understand residents' disappointment that what comes forward constantly seems to be student accommodation when there really is a need for rented accommodation on the open market.
"People are paying for more than they are used to for their housing.
"Rents that can be obtained from student accommodation are far in excess of what landlords can get out of private rents.
"It's a market that isn't very well, and isn't working for people."
Councillor Robert Redfern said he believed it was the fifth student flats development near Lancaster Bus Station.
The committee then took votes on both applications, with councillors Thornberry, Tynan, Tyldesley, Belcher, Bottoms, Pritchard, Brookes, Budden, Gawith, Greenwell, Otway, Lenox, Redfern and Hanson all voting in favour on both.
Read more: Student flats plan for historic former YMCA building in Lancaster - Beyond Radio
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