Plans to let student flats scaled back again

Construction of the Deakin's Yard development has been hit by delays

Plans to let vacant student flats to the general public have been scaled back for a second time.

Developer Integritas Property Group (IPG) wants to use 40 of the 273 student flats at Deakin's Yard in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, as serviced apartments until September.

A proposal to let 68 of the flats was refused by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council last year but the new application has been recommended for approval by the authority's planning officers.

It comes as building work on the site, the former Jubilee Baths, nears completion after eight years of construction.

The development, which is subject to a planning condition limiting it to student use, was meant to be finished in time for the 2024/25 academic year before it was hit by delays.

After the completion date was missed, IPG wanted to let out all 273 student flats to the general public before students arrived in September this year.

The number was scaled back to 68 in the previous application before it was refused in December due to concerns over a lack of parking spaces, of which the site has 19.

'Incredibly positive'

The new application proposing to use 40 flats is due to be discussed at a meeting of the council's planning committee on Tuesday.

An IPG spokesperson said it was "delighted" the latest application was recommended for approval, and said the community had been "incredibly positive" about construction nearing completion.

They said 50% of the flats had been let to future student tenants and the temporary use of 40 as serviced apartments would allow the company to "soft-test" the building.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.