By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
The developer behind a new Nottingham tower block for 426 students on the former site of the Gala Bingo hall in St Ann’s says it wants to ‘integrate’ the scheme and its residents into the community.
Demolition of the old bingo hall in St Ann’s Well Road began after Crown Student Living’s plans were given the green light by Nottingham City Council in January 2021.
At first the developer was given permission to build a block with over 300 bedrooms, however upon a redesign of communal space the number has been increased to 426.
Before the block becomes operational, the developer had to submit a student management plan to the council.
CRM, which manages more than 22,000 student bedrooms spread over 120 sites across the country, will look after the site.
The new scheme will be “affordable and luxurious”, it says, with prices starting at £174 per week.
The block will include a gym, games room, cinema room, karaoke, study spaces as well as a substantial cycle parking area and open courtyard featuring hedges and picnic benches.
“Crown Place, in the configuration and design proposed in the planning application which this proposal supports, represents a well-designed and located scheme for students studying in Nottingham,” student management plan documents say.
“Our goal will be to ensure a complete integration of the scheme with local business, residents and the general public. This can be well and safely managed by carefully considered, and on the whole, passive security measures.
“With strategic design, strong communications with local stakeholders and sympathetic student management, the scheme can be made a comfortable place in which to make a home, within an extremely safe and friendly environment.”
Neighbours within 50 metres of the block will be contacted by a leaflet explaining how they can make a complaint if any concerns arise.
They will be provided with a number for the accommodation manager, and security will also attend if any anti-social behaviour concerns are raised.
Residents will not be permitted to bring a vehicle to the site and they will not be able to apply for any local parking permit schemes.
Any breach of contract would result in eviction, CRM says in the documents submitted to the council in August.
“CRM prides itself on pro-actively working with and developing a constructive relationship with our nearest residents, businesses and representatives of the local community,” documents add.
“In this instance it will be important the surrounding local businesses and occupiers can continue to operate and live alongside the scheme.
“It is expected CRM will provide a point of contact so that any concerns or issues can be raised for the local management to address.
“In some similar schemes we have provided a leaflet which highlights how our management team can be contacted.
“Once fully operational the site team will have an open door policy, local residents will be able to meet with the team and discuss any concerns ‘face-to-face’.
“It is expected CRM would actively seek to join any local groups to demonstrate the tenants at Crown Place are important members of the community.
“That involvement may include some student representatives so that local occupiers and residents all understand each other and co-exist.”
