Lincoln nightclub conversion plans scaled back after criticism
Plans to turn Level nightclub on Silver Street into student housing have been revised, with one storey removed from the proposed extension
Developers have responded to criticism of their plans to turn a Lincoln nightclub into student housing.
Level nightclub on Silver Street – previously known as Moka, Bierkeller and Pulse – was originally proposed to be converted into 79 student rooms including a two-storey roof extension.
Applicant JSO Holdings has now reduced this to one storey and redesigned the building’s appearance in a bid to win planning permission.
The venue had been a popular night out for years, but is now only open at weekends as other nightclubs have overtaken it.
Planning documents say the change would offer “high-quality, sustainable student accommodation and a reinvigorated street-level presence that strengthens Lincoln’s urban fabric”.
Historic England had raised concerns about the height and size of the extra floors in Lincoln’s city centre conservation area.
New documents from the applicant say: “Reducing the height of the proposed extension at roof level by one storey reduces the risk of harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area.”
It isn’t clear how this would affect the number of beds, which would originally be split over 15 flats with shared living areas and kitchen.
The applicant has also redesigned the building’s colour and appearance to better fit in with the surroundings.
City of Lincoln Council’s housing department had objected to more student digs, saying more than 800 rooms are already standing empty due to lack of demand.
“The team supports the principle of converting part of the application site to residential use, however the proposed tenure does not align with the city’s current housing need and as such is considered an unacceptable form of development,” it says.
The Access Creative College, which runs courses on music, media, games and computing, would move to improved facilities on the ground floor under the proposal.
Bierkeller closed in January, saying: “The cost of living crisis and changing lifestyle habits have gradually led to an unavoidable outcome that the venue can no longer operate as a viable business.”
The application will be determined by the City of Lincoln Council at a later date.