A compromise has been reached over the future of students' union buildings at Queen's University Belfast. As reported here last week, union leaders were unhappy with plans to create a new campus complex opposite the university's main building.

After a meeting with vice chancellor George Bain last week, students' union president John McAuley said the union was much happier and is on "speaking terms" with the authorities.

"We have received reassurances about our whole place in `Lanyon 2' [the redevelopment scheme] and we can now ensure that our mark will be all over the project," McAuley said. "If we get it wrong then we won't have what people recognise as a students' union in five or 10 years and the planners have to tread carefully," he said.

As for the administration, the vice chancellor thought that the meeting had been positive, an upbeat spokesman said. "From the university's point of view we are keen to see the students fully brought into this process, and I am sure they will be."