A FORMER nightclub is to become a new home for theatre and media students.

Huddersfield University officials want to turn the Eden nightclub and Milton Hall in Page Street into a new base for the department.

They have applied to Kirklees Council for listed building consent for the former church building to be extended, altered and refurbished. The site is in a conservation area.

Kirklees' decision on the application is not expected before then end of the month. The Eden closed around three years ago after cash problems. It has since housed the university's Students' Union.

A university spokesman said officials had had plans for some time to move theatre and media students from their current home in St Peter's Buildings in the town centre St Peter's Street.

The plan is part of the university's aim to put all departments on the main campus off Queensgate.

Plans were made to re-locate the media students to the university's Great Hall, but structural problems made the building costs too high. It was therefore decided to use the Eden nightclub and put the Students' Union in the Great Hall.

Work on the Eden and Milton Hall project should start as soon as planning permission is granted.

The project should take around 12 months, with staff moving in before the start of the 2004 year.

Meanwhile, St Peter's Buildings, which includes a tower block, are to be sold to a developer. The building was the former home of the YMCA in Huddersfield.