News

Plans to demolish former warehouse and build nearly 250 student beds expected to be approved

By Latifa Yedroudj, Junior Local Democracy Reporter

---

A Nottingham warehouse could be demolished and replaced by nearly 250 student beds if plans are approved next week.

Nottingham City Council’s planning committee will meet on Wednesday, April 23, to decide on the plans in Rick Street, with councillors recommended to approve the proposals.

Papers say a warehouse along Rick Street, located behind the Victoria Centre, will be demolished to make way for a large student apartment complex.

If approved, 37 cluster flats and 50 individual studio flats will accommodate up to 247 students.

Four buildings would be linked together, ranging from four to 10 storeys in height, between Glasshouse Street, Howard Street and Rick Street.

The buildings would include facilities and amenities for students such as a common room, study room, games room, cinema room and laundry room.

The plans were first submitted in April 2022. However, the application faced several delays as the developers said they could not afford to deliver the scheme.

The applicants have since revised the plans and submitted a viability assessment to ensure they can meet planning obligations.

The developer has agreed to a student management plan, employment and skills targets during construction.

The council will reassess the project’s viability if construction doesn’t start within two years, documents say.

Six neighbours have objected to the scheme, with one saying it would “disrupt daily lives” while another said the height of the buildings would have a “negative effect on the landscape and views”.

Planning documents read: “The reduction of the scale of the development specifically towards the rear would help to preserve the setting of the listed building.

“It is considered that any harm to either of these heritage assets would be less than substantial and outweighed by the public benefit of regenerating this brownfield site, in both townscape terms and through the provision of much needed student accommodation in an appropriate location.”

It adds: “Overall, it is considered that the proposed development would provide a range of positive benefits that would represent a significant enhancement when compared with the current site characteristics.”

One resident who objected to the plans raised concerns about “noise pollution” from student accommodation.

Addressing concerns, the document reads: “Whilst the potential for antisocial behaviour will always exist in student developments, securing the provision of a student management plan through planning condition would include a commitment for an operator to work proactively with the local community, including 24-hour contact details and community liaison.

“Restrictions on keeping private vehicles within the City would also be applied and have proven a deterrent and reduced nuisance caused by excessive demand for car parking spaces.”

The original plans proposed flats of up to 16 storeys high, with 401 students beds, provided within 57 cluster flats and 40 studios.

If approved, the plans would be based near new student housing on nearby roads – all of which back onto Glasshouse Street – including some already built and others currently under construction.