PLANS to convert a hotel into student accommodation have been given the go-ahead.

Scarborough Borough Council's development and regulation committee backed the scheme by nightclub owner Alf Arton to alter the 55-bedroom Carlton House International Hotel in Carlton Terrace after hearing it was no longer viable as a hotel.

Neighbours argued that it would lead to late night noise and senior planning officer Gordon Somerville said it would be against council policy to safeguard hotels for the holiday industry.

But consultant town planner David Langham said that £100,000 needed to be spent to meet fire regulations.

He said there was a demand for student accommodation as a result of the expansion of University College, now a campus of Hull University, in Filey Road and from September, some 1,600 students will be attending the college.

Councillor Don Robinson said allowing the conversion scheme would make the building an asset to the South Cliff area, enabling it to be renovated and helping the local economy.

"Students spend money in the town and now Scarborough has this enhanced status as a university town, we should build on it."