By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
A former antique shop on Nottingham’s Derby Road will be demolished to make way for student flats.
Nottingham City Council has approved plans to demolish the former Acanthus Antiques and Collectables store and develop a 12-bed scheme.
The new three-and-a-half storey building will include bedrooms, bathrooms, communal areas and some en-suite facilities.
The ground floor will also include a wheelchair-accessible bedroom with en-suite bathroom.
In planning documents submitted to the council, the developer said: “Although the [antique shop] has not been abandoned, the property is currently vacant.
“The building has become increasingly difficult to maintain and is no longer attractive to the market for retail or similar uses.
“The prospects for any future commercial use of the property are remote.”
It added: “The development is intended to target the student and young professional rented accommodation market, with the property retained and professionally managed by Collie Properties.”
The rear of the site will face onto the beer garden of The Sir John Borlase Warren pub, located on the same stretch of Derby Road.
Last month, Nottingham City Council confirmed the city needs an additional 7,000 student beds to keep up with demand.
Rising admissions at both the city’s universities mean there is currently a shortfall of 2,000 rooms – despite numerous student accommodation schemes already under construction.
Plans to further increase student numbers over the coming years means an additional 5,000 beds will be needed by 2024/25 on top of the current backlog.
The council said last week it would prefer more purpose-built accommodation schemes to meet the demand.
It hopes homes in traditionally residential areas like Lenton could then be converted back into family homes.
