A DECISION is to be made this week on plans to turn the former Great Universal Stores building in Burnley into accommodation for over 120 UCLan students.

East Lancashire Regeneration Ltd is behind the scheme to transform Kingsway House.

Alan Kinder, who is ELRL’s managing director, said: “Essentially the university has been successful in developing a new range of courses.

“But the occupancy have not been as high as anticipated due to the scarcity of appropriate accommodation locally.

“At present UCLan are housing approximately 40 full-time students in halls of residence, close to the Preston campus, and are incurring the cost of transporting student daily.”

The scheme is recommended for approval by councillors on Burnley’s development control committee, which meets tomorrow.

Council planning officer Alan Rogan said in a report: “The proposal would provide appropriate and convenient accommodation for students, whose presence in this part of the town centre would be likely to add to its vitality.

“It would bring the building back into use, contributing significantly to the economic wellbeing, security and sustainability of the area.”