Monday 05-12-2016 - 10:00

Lancaster University Students’ Union is calling on its members to help in their fight to ensure a planned residential development does not threaten the future of the Sugarhouse nightclub.

Next week Lancaster City Council is expected to decide whether to allow a development of 42 student flats in the building next door – the former home of the Elements nightclub.

But the union fears that the developers - Bargh Estates and Cityblock Ltd – aren’t planning sufficient noise prevention measures in the building, meaning that Sugarhouse will be vulnerable to future noise complaints from tenants. The union says it is prepared to invest in noise mitigations at the club if developers agree to sufficient measures of their own.

Students’ Union Vice-President (Union Development) Sophie Tarif said: “Sugarhouse is at real risk and we need students to help us convince the council that this development needs to be done right.

“Council policy on noise is based on Manchester’s guidelines, which our acoustics experts say aren’t enough to protect tenants or businesses.

 “We’re not against this development going ahead, we just want to make sure that it’s done right  to ensure that Sugarhouse can thrive and continue to offer a great night out for students as well as fund the other activities of the union.”

There are three things students can do to help:

• Add an objection to the council website at bit.ly/sugarhouse-risk
• Show support for Sugarhouse by joining us in Dalton Square from 9.30am on Monday December 12
• Volunteering to speak at the council planning meeting by emailing help@lusu.co.uk