By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
A resident of Beeston fears the area will become ‘another Lenton’ if plans for nearby student accommodation are approved.
Plans have been lodged to convert the former Nottingham College campus in High Road, between Beeston and Chilwell, into accommodation for 162 students.
The company behind the project says the building will bring ‘major benefits’ to the area and insists it has worked to ensure residents’ concerns are addressed.
A decision on the application was deferred on July 7 by Broxtowe Borough Councillors after concerns were raised by residents of Chilwell and Beeston.
Tony Greaves, 66, now fears the plans will be approved in the September or October planning committee meeting.
Tony and his wife moved into their home close to the building four years ago.
He said: “Beeston is going to be another Lenton, it will be a no-go area.
“This was supposed to be our forever home and now we are going to have a student village directly opposite us if these plans are approved.
“We are metres away from the development and we’re considering moving now because this is going to upset the rest of our lives.
“You’ve only got to look at Lenton to see the hours police put into anti-social behaviour there.
“No amount of legislation can control them to date and we aren’t going to be able to do anything about it.
“How many more students are there and why does Beeston have to have them?”
Dozens of residents feel so strongly about the plans that they have paid hundreds of pounds for their own planning officer to help fight the application.
Lenton has seen a number of large, high-profile student parties during the pandemic, some of which led to £10,000 fines for the organisers for breaching Covid-19 restrictions.
Tony, who is retired, added: “All the neighbours are very passionate about this.
“When we first saw the plans the alarm bells started ringing.
“Students feel they have a right to party and make as much noise as they want. We’re going to be up all night because of the music and a few words on a tenancy agreement isn’t going to stop that.
“They’ll be having mates over on a Friday and our parking permits run out at 5pm.
“It’s not good for the area. The building could quite easily be a nursing home which everyone would benefit from.”
Some councillors objected to the plans during the Planning Committee meeting, with one suggesting that they were “unreasonable”.
A spokesperson for ALB Group, who are behind the plans, said: “ALB are disappointed the planning application for the conversion of Central College into student accommodation was deferred at last night’s planning committee meeting, however all efforts will be made to work closely with the Council to overcome and resolve any concerns raised over parking and construction working hours.
“The development has major benefits for the local community and we look forward to delivering this exciting project once planning has been secured.”
