Developer told student flat work is 'poor quality'

Marble Homes is in the process of building 142 studio apartments

A planning officer has urged the developer of a block of student flats in Derby to address "poor-quality workmanship".

Developer Marble Homes is currently building an eight-storey student complex with 142 studios in Agard Street.

The project was initially granted planning permission in November 2019 and a retrospective application was later submitted to make design changes, but construction had already started, Derby City Council said.

Arran Knight, urban design and conservation officer at the council, said he had urged the applicant to address various issues.

The report also raised "strong concerns" about proposed changes to the building's elevations in the retrospective application, including "the loss of most of the slot windows on the side elevations".

Concerns were also raised about brick detailing and the connecting louvres between levels seven and eight of the building.

A report said "poor-quality workmanship" needed to be addressed by the applicant

The report added further details are required for the proposed external cycle store and fire exit door.

A proposal to relocate a substation to the front of the building would also need an "appropriate screen of landscaping".

The BBC understands there has been no work on the site for several weeks.

Mr Knight said: "It is worth bringing to the attention of the case officer the poor-quality workmanship which is evident on the built elements of the development proposal thus far.

"It would be suggested that this issue is addressed by the applicant."

Marble Homes was contacted for comment.