A FORMER Lancaster pub looks set to get the go ahead to become student accommodation - despite concerns from elderly residents of a nearby sheltered housing scheme.

Council planners have recommended that plans to turn the former White Lion Hotel, St Leonardsgate, into two student residences, one with four bedrooms, the other with eight.

Residents at the St Leonard's Court sheltered housing complex, situated within 15 metres of the former pub, have sent a petition with 51 signatures calling for the scheme to be blocked because it would be 'unfavourable to both parties' to have students and over 55s living in such close proximity.

A report from planners said: "Given the location and former use it is considered that the proposal is an ideal use for the premises.

It is centrally located and will bring back into use a vacant building that has been boarded up and an eyesore for a considerable period."

It adds: "While I note the petition raised by the neighbouring residents in St Leonard's Court there is a considerable height difference between the two and the application premises built into a bank there are only four windows in the rear elevation which faces St Leonard's Court beyond the treed embankment with only four windows in the rear elevation which faces St Leonard's Court beyond the treed embankment with only one of these serving a bedroom.

"Any activity to and from the premises will be onto Bulk Road at the front which is some distance away and obviously mixed in with all the other activity that goes on in this area.

"I am also mindful of the premises former use as a public house which be its very nature is likely to have been far more disruptive to the amenities of the surrounding residents.

"In the circumstances a refusal could not be sustained on these grounds."