A former medical building listed for its architectural interest is to be converted into student flats.
The Algernon Firth Building, formerly Leeds University’s Institute of Pathology, first opened its doors in 1933 and is said to be one of the first buildings in the country to use reinforced concrete.
Designed by John C Proctor and constructed mainly in red brick, it is also grade-two listed.
The building in Thoresby Place, behind St George’s Crypt, is no longer in use and councillors have given the go ahead for it to be converted into student accommodation.
There will be a total of 43 cluster flats and studio flats. The basement will be converted into a laundry and gym and will provide parking for up to 40 bicycles. No car parking is provided.
The council’s city centre plans panel heard there had been an objection to the scheme, submitted by Rushbond Group (Electric Support Ltd), from a resident of a nearby block of flats.
The objector argued that changing the building to student accommodation would make it difficult to return it to any other use in the future.
But a report to the panel said the alterations proposed would permit future alternative uses.
It added: “There are very few external alterations and the internal alterations fully respect key features of the existing building.”
Coun Neil Taggart, panel chairman, said: “This is a very good scheme to deal with a redundant university building. It blends in well with its surroundings and is in a very sustainable location.”
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