Student flats plan for city nightclub approved

Plans to turn a Lincoln nightclub into student flats have been approved, despite concerns over protecting the building's character.

The former Level nightclub in Silver Street will be converted into 66 flats for students, with a rooftop extension added and the Access Creative College moved from the top to the ground floor.

Applicant JSO Holdings reduced its original plans from two floors to just one extra storey after the city council's housing department objected to more student accommodation, claiming more than 800 rooms were already standing empty.

City of Lincoln Council's planning committee voted unanimously for the plans to go ahead on Wednesday.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the committee was assured any external changes would be minimal, with no rebuilding or reskinning.

JSO Holdings said the units could be turned into traditional flats if there was no demand for student accommodation.

Speaking at the meeting, councillor Lucinda Preston said: "This is a remarkable building, and if the striking features are torn out, it could end up looking like many others, and very generic.

"I support the change of use – the night-time economy has moved away from that part of the city centre – but really want to see the exterior preserved."

Ben Rayner, speaking for applicant JSO Holdings, said it would preserve the character of the building while "bringing life back to a closed-off city centre building".

"We want to reuse and improve rather than demolish," he said.

Rayner added that moving the college to the ground floor would "make creativity a visible presence rather than hiding it".

Councillor Rebecca Longbottom said: "This is a fantastic scheme. The building was starting to look a bit tatty, so it's good to see it brought back into use."

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