The committee moved to defer a decision to give the university the opportunity to offer more.

Minster Court tenants and homeowners said they hoped the university would reflect on its plans, particularly the size and scale of the development.

But the hopes of residents of Hartley’s Village, off Long Lane, suffered a blow when the committee approved plans for industrial warehousing units on the site.

Warbreck Cllr Ann O’Byrne had pleaded for planners to take a “holistic” approach and think about the possible detrimental effect the scheme could have on efforts to become a heritage site.

She argued the council would not be thinking about the long-term potential of the site as a cultural centre if it approved the units.

Tony Siebenthaler, deputy chairman of Hartley’s Village Heritage Committee, said: “Residents and councillors have worked towards this for three years, and wish to use this as a key to future development.”

But Cllr Irving said: “We would be rather pleased if he could at least clean this building up to a standard which makes them more attractive and give impetus to the community’s request for a heritage and conservation centre.”