PLANS to transform the derelict headquarters of Yell.com into a block of student apartments haves been given the rubber stamp by the council.

After the directory’s parent company Hibu decided against renewing their lease for their Queens Walk headquarters following a number of redundancies, Crown Student Living submitted proposals to turn the derelict office block into 287 student flats.

The proposal was welcomed with open arms by panel members at a council meeting, who revealed the Queens Walk site was earmarked as a potential location for the civic offices before the local authority picked Bridge Street as their new home following a move from The Hexagon in December.

At the meeting of the Planning Applications Committee, Councillor Tony Page said: “It was one of the buildings listed for the civic offices and, I have to say, has a lot of work to be done to it.

“But I hope the developers have on this occasion done their sums because managing the needs of students can be challenging on good days and one of the conditions will require a proactive management company to do just that.”

The proposal, submitted to the council in May, will also incorporate the erection of a two-storey extension to the already six-storey building for the development to house up to 395 students.

Adding to Tony Page’s comments was committee chairman Cllr Chris Maskell, who said: “The council cannot always play Big Brother in situations like these but we certainly agree the application should be granted.”

Works to the development are expected to be complete within 18 months.

External altercations will also be made to the building, with the council requesting a Section 106 financial contribution from the applicant as well as the establishment of a travel plan which should be submitted to the committee within three months of the first occupation of the flats.

The travel plan should include incentives to encourage students to use public transport as well as promote cycling and walking as ways of getting around the town.