Plans for 1,000 new student bedrooms approved

Four residential blocks up to eight-storeys high will be built as part of a student housing scheme

More than 1,000 new student bedrooms in four multi-storey blocks are to be created after a decision to demolition an office complex described as difficult to let.

Most of the premises at Mercia Business Village, on Torwood Close, near Warwick University, Coventry, are either vacant or on short-term lets.

Developers Skybridge Properties said the project would address an "under-supply" of accommodation at the university.

The plans, covering 1,006 student bedrooms in four blocks up to eight-storeys high, were approved by a Coventry City Council planning committee at a recent meeting.

Developers will also contribute up to £981,000 as part of a section 106 agreement, with £361,000 going towards enhancing parks and open spaces.

Simon Murray-Twinn, of Skybridge Properties, told the meeting that the price of upgrading the offices at the business village, which were built in the 1980s, was not cost-effective.

"This application focuses solely on meeting the under-supply at Warwick University, who say they intend to grow the campus to 34,000 students," he explained.

"Student numbers today are 25,588 - that is an increase of 8,412 over the next five years beyond the current under-supply."

However, critics of the plans spoke against them, citing the loss of employment land, with one attendee presenting a previous council report from 2023/24 which suggested a surplus of student spaces elsewhere across the city.

"We acknowledge the applicant's report which states that there is a high vacancy rate, but we believe that the site could be redeveloped for office and business use that meets current requirements," said the Coventry Society group member.

Councillor John McNicholas also raised the issue of employment land being lost.

"I believe that the small business units were argued for on the basis that they were starter units in association with the university," he said.

"In my mind it is a serious loss and we should take that into account."