Plans to use an area earmarked for office space in a student accommodation block as a classroom for the vocational education of pupils aged over 16 have been approved by councillors.
The space in the Sandygate Halls in Burnley's Weavers' Triangle conservation area.
Burnley Council's development control committee granted the scheme planning permission at its meeting this month.
The application for a 'proposed post-16 educational use' was made by the authority itself.
A planning officers report told councillors: "The application relates to a vacant ground floor commercial unit at Sandygate Halls which occupies a prominent position at the junction of Sandygate and Neptune Street.
"The four storey mixed-use building was granted planning permission and provides student accommodation (136 bedrooms) with ancillary facilities and car parking; and three commercial units.
"The L-shaped building encloses Sandygate Square and is connected to the pedestrian bridge linking the UCLan campus.
"The commercial unit subject to this application, Unit 3, is a recessed corner retail unit located at lower ground floor level with its entrance fronting Sandygate.
"The unit provides 143 square metres of gross internal floorspace permitted for office use including financial and professional service uses.
"The unit remains vacant, not having been brought into occupation since completion.
"This application seeks permission for the use of the vacant commercial unit as a post-sixteen classroom delivering a range of educational activities to enable pupils to study towards vocational qualifications alongside practical work experience in the coffee shop.
"There will be twelve pupils and five staff based in the classroom which will operate Monday to Friday (08.45am to 3.15pm).
"The site is situated within the Canalside Conservation Area, in an area known as the Weavers’ Triangle, which is considered to be one of the best preserved Victorian industrial districts within the northwest."
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