By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a student development in the heart of Beeston have been rejected after one councillor said the design “looks like an open prison”.
Applicant Sandip Leihal applied to construct a three-storey building on retail land for seven apartments and a parking area on High Road, Beeston.
It is not known how many students the site would accommodate, but councillors believe the figure could be around 54 beds.
Planning officers said the benefits of the proposal are that the accommodation would provide a purpose-built student site and reduce pressure for students to live in converted family homes.
Twenty-eight letters of observation and concern were received by the council. One concern said purpose-built student accommodation should be built on the university grounds rather than in this location.
Planning officers had called for planning permission to be granted, but councillors at Broxtowe Borough Council’s planning committee voted against the application on Wednesday, March 9.
Cllr Stephen Carr (Lib Dem), who represents Beeston North, said: “This is the site of the old Kings Carpets in Beeston. This is one of the major routes into Beeston town centre. It is not Chatsworth but it is quite an attractive building.
“What is being proposed looks like an open prison. It is not good enough for the town centre of Beeston.”
Cllr Philip Owen (Cons), who represents Nuthall East and Strelley, asked planning officers ‘”where is the evidence?” when it was suggested houses of multiple occupancy put less pressure on family homes being converted into student accommodation.
He said the development looked “hideous”.
“We are being used as a dumping ground for Nottingham University. If they want to take on more students, build on University Park where they still have plenty of land,” he added.
Cllr Don Pringle (Cons) and Cllr Lydia Ball (Cons) also didn’t like the design of the proposal and wanted the former building to remain.
Cllr Pringle added: “Replacing what is a nice frontage with a series of square boxes with lots of windows is not the way to do it.”
The application was refused planning permission.
