Residents 'frustrated' at student block approval

Residents attended the meeting to oppose the plans for the site in The Park estate

Residents have said they are frustrated by the approval of a four-storey student accommodation block in Nottingham.

The 137-bed purpose-built student housing off Castle Boulevard, in The Park estate, was approved by Nottingham City Council's planning committee on Wednesday.

Members of the public attended the meeting with posters and banners questioning the need for more student housing in the city.

Applicant David Pownall said the development would "make a positive architectural contribution" to the area and "regenerate an under-utilised site".

The site sits inside the canal conservation area and next to The Park conservation area

Chairman of the committee, Labour councillor Leslie Ayoola, said approval was "not a comfortable decision".

The plans for the site, which sits inside the canal conservation area and next to The Park conservation area, had been deferred at September's planning committee after councillors had asked for design changes.

Labour councillor Sam Harris said the developer's changes after the deferral were not adequate, but council officers said a rejection would be "challenging" to defend at appeal.

Harris pointed to issues including noise and disturbance and a lack of adequate transport links.

"They have neither addressed the 'blocky-ness', which was my primary concern, or the elevations," he said.

"I am very disappointed at the outcome."

Council officer Rob Percival said there had been a 10% reduction in on-street student accommodation over the last four years, which was part of the authority's strategy.

He said communities with high levels of student housing "have suffered tremendously".

Four councillors voted in favour of the plans, two voted against and one abstained.

Dr Shehnila Zaya is a resident on Fishpond Drive in The Park estate

Resident Dr Shehnila Zaya, a consultant geriatrician for the NHS, was one of those opposing the plans.

Speaking after the meeting, she said: "I will be directly affected by this monolith.

"I am frustrated because it feels like the entire process has completely ignored the concerns of the citizens of the city. There are so many flaws with the plans."

A number of residents said they would consider trying to take the issue to judicial review.

'Strike balance'

Councillor Matt Shannon, Labour member for Castle Ward, supported the residents in the meeting and said he was "disappointed" with the decision.

"The tone of the committee's discussion shows that they had reservations about the application as well. It doesn't enhance the heritage of the area, it damages it," he said.

"It is frustrating. We have to strike the balance of allowing the city to grow and protecting our heritage and I think in this instance it was the wrong decision."

In planning documents, the applicant said: "The proposed scheme has been carefully designed to make a positive architectural contribution to Castle Boulevard whilst preserving the architectural heritage of the Conservation Area.

"It will offer high quality student accommodation in a sustainable location, tying in with the nearby regeneration of the University of Nottingham Castle Meadow Campus."