First look at plans for £22m student village
PLANS for a £22million student village, which would be home to 450 students, have been unveiled.
A revised planning application for the former Canley Sports Club site, on Marler Road, in Canley, has been submitted to Coventry City Council - and artist’s impressions have now emerged of what the scheme could look like.
Developers Urban Pulse want to create a “managed student village” under the title “Warwick UniVillage”. It would include 38 lowrise town houses and 452 rooms, as well as 45 parking spaces. There would also be an “amenity hub” and space for 160 push bikes.
These plans represent a slight downscale of previous plans which aimed to build a development with 472 rooms.
The developers say this scheme would free up homes in the local area for families, would create 162 permanent jobs and would bring an economic benefit up to £5.8million a year after construction is completed.
A letter to residents from James Patterson, director of Urban Pulse, outlined the perceived benefits of the scheme.
It read: “The resulting attractive and contemporary environment within easy cycling or walking distance of the University of Warwick is specifically designed to respond to the existing and future needs of students at the university.”
It goes on to outline its primary aims including offering affordable rented accommodation for students, increase student spending in Canley and alleviate pressure on the local housing supply.
The developers also say the scheme will “return a derelict and abandoned site back into beneficial and economic use” after the sports club which formerly occupied the site was destroyed by fire in 2013.
Urban Pulse say the project will add £26.6m to the local economy during the two-year construction phase and £5.8m a year once completed.
It claims the scheme will also produce the equivalent of 562 jobs during construction and 133 jobs sustained after completion.
The developers also say the proposals will result in a saving of up to £8m to the public purse during construction and up to £1.7m after completion.
Mr Patterson adds: “Whilst student accommodation can divide opinion, we are hopeful that this opportunity will be recognised and supported, to harness the stimulus offered that includes a capital spend in excess of £22m and which will keep spending in Canley.
Plans for affordable housing on the land have been abandoned in favour of the student accommodation scheme.
Councillors in the Westwood ward have said they welcome students but have said the land should be used for more affordable housing.
Speaking to the Telegraph in October, Cllr Tim Mayer said: “Students provide a huge boost to a city’s economy as they spend their money in our cafes, bars, pubs, clubs and shops. But as a city we must recognise the need to house them correctly.
“Westwood ward currently has three possible applications in for student residential blocks and a village.
“One is located very sensibly and does not impact local residents in a negative way but the other two will create more issues then they will solve. We hope the Marler Road site can be used for the good quality affordable housing much needed in Canley and beyond.”