Pembroke College has been granted planning permission to convert a Grade II listed office building into student accommodation.

Plans for the property at 12 Mill Lane include the creation of 13 student rooms, as well as shared bathroom and study spaces, and improving the energy efficiency of the building.

The College owns both 12 and 13 Mill Lane, with 13 already being used for student accommodation.

The College cites the building’s poor condition in its reasons for the conversion, with its planning permission application saying: “The building fabric for both buildings is generally in poor condition with some inappropriate materials.”

In a report into the proposal, planning officers said that the currently vacant building is “showing early signs of disrepair,” suggesting that the building’s conversion into student accommodation would “allow for the fabric of the building to be improved and maintained through occupancy”.

They added that the conversion would also help address the need for more student accommodation in Cambridge.

Pembroke told Varsity: “The conversion of 12/13 Mill Lane into student accommodation has been part of Pembroke’s plans for the Mill Lane site since its inception. Now that the work on the Dolby Quarter has been completed, we have been able to move forward with this final part of the project.”

One third-year student at Pembroke commented: “It’s exciting that the college is investing in more accommodation, particularly characterful listed properties. However, I hope the college is also investing in renovating properties they already own that are in states of disrepair, rather than just expanding.

“Additionally, extensive student accommodation is increasingly contributing to severely high housing prices and housing shortages in Cambridge, and expanding student accommodation in the centre must be balanced with not pricing locals out.”

The work must be started within three years to comply with Cambridge City Council’s planning permission.