By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents have vowed that they will “fight to the bitter end” against plans to redevelop an empty college site with student flats and apartments.
An application to turn the empty Central College building in High Road, Chilwell, into apartments and new build homes have been widely criticised by the local community.
This month, the plans were scaled back with the hope of them being approved by Broxtowe Borough Council’s planning committee.
But resident Tony Greaves has written a statement on behalf of over 80 locals who still have “very serious concerns” about the development.
Previously, separate plans for the site for a 162-bedroom student block were turned down in September 2021 after residents said they could end up “at war with students”.
Dozens of residents also opposed the plans at the time, claiming that they could turn ‘Beeston into the new Lenton’.
Mr Greaves said in the statement: “The residents are finding the process of fighting these applications one after another very stressful, but will fight on to the bitter end.
“The stress that this development (if it goes ahead) is going to cause to the surrounding residents from being woken up all hours of the night, being overlooked and not being able to park is unmeasurable.
“When are the residents going to be listened to?”
He wrote that Beeston has become “overrun with students”.
Applicant High Road Developments Limited said the application for the “part new build and part conversion and extension” had been revised with the number of one, two and three bedroom homes reduced from 97 to 87.
They added that the number of proposed parking spaces has increased from 59 to 82 to try to alleviate residents’ concerns.
But the residents say it will be “impossible for local residents to be able to park” outside their own homes.
Broxtowe Borough Council did not respond to a request for comment.
