By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
A tower block for 104 students has been tipped for approval by city planners.
Nottingham City Council says it has a shortfall of around 5,500 student bed spaces, despite 10,000 new beds in the pipeline.
It is the largest student bed development pipeline outside of London.
A new student accommodation scheme has now been drawn up in Lower Parliament Street, above Poundland and Bonmarche.
Plans have been submitted by Miss Kelly Paddick on behalf of Maven Property (Nottingham) LP.
Planning documents say: “The proposal is for an upward extension of between one and three stories to create a building three to five stories in height.
“The ground floor would be retained as retail use, with the upper floors used as 104 student bed spaces with a mixture of cluster and studio flats.
“The development also includes communal lounges, a gym, a laundry room and cycle store with two small roof gardens.
“The development would be three stories at the northern end facing Lower Parliament Street, stepping up to five stories facing Thurland Street.”
A bridge connects the first floor of the building to the Victoria Centre, but it is not within the applicant’s ownership and outside of the site boundary.
The bridge will therefore remain as a feature in the city centre.
The developer also says the provision of facilities for market traders along Clinton Street East and Clinton Street West will also be retained.
Five representations were received in response to the plans, and included three objections from neighbours in the nearby Crusader House flats.
The former telephone exchange was converted to 58 apartments in 2001.
The objectors state: “Student population causes noise, disruption and anti-social behaviour in the city centre, particularly in evenings and weekends.
“Development will cut out almost all natural light to Crusader House flats on the side facing the development and will remove privacy through directly looking into the flats.
“Construction will create extreme levels of noise, dust, pollution and
disruption. Construction vehicles will increase traffic in the area.”
But in response to the concerns the planning documents add: “The gap between the application property and this neighbouring building is 11m at its nearest point, although its upper floors are recessed and positioned further away.
“Additionally, the southern elevation of the application property is relatively short and cut away at its corners.
“Crusader House sitting to the south east would mean that the proposed development would not result in any significant loss of light.”
The plans have been tipped for approval and will be discussed by Nottingham City Council’s planning committee on February 22.
