Derelict cinema to be replaced with student flats

The former cinema will make way for a tower block

Plans to demolish a derelict cinema in Nottingham and replace it with student flats have been given the green light.

Developer Zen Nottingham Limited will be knocking down the former cinema building, on Queen’s Road, to make way for a new six to nine-storey tower block.

The new building will provide a total of 31 studios and 50 shared accommodation beds, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

The scheme was unanimously approved at a Nottingham City Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

'Suitable alternative'

Planning permission for a similar building providing 39 residential apartments and retail units was originally granted in September 2020, according to the LDRS.

However the scheme, from a different developer, failed to progress.

Independent councillor Andrew Rule said: “This departs from what was originally planned to be residential.

“Does this mean within the wider context of the outside developments that a student development elsewhere will be substituted for a residential [scheme] to make up for that?”

Planning officer Rob Percival replied: “No – all sites are independent so there isn’t that link. This is a suitable alternative.”

Planning officers said the student scheme made sense due to the presence of a number of other student accommodation developments in the area, which will be in close proximity to the University of Nottingham’s new Castle Meadow Campus.

The LDRS said Zen Nottingham Limited would be providing a financial contribution of £176,018 towards affordable housing in lieu of on-site provision, as well as £106,460 towards the provision or enhancement of off-site public open space and a local employment and training contribution of £22,595.

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