Next phase of massive student homes scheme is set to start

MORE cranes will dominate the city’s skyline again this year as the second phase of the Bishop Gate scheme is set to start.

Phase one of the development on Tower Street on the edge of the city centre culminated in the opening of three student tower blocks in September last year.

The striking orange and yellow towers have proved to be something of a love it or loathe it sight.

Now, a fourth and fifth tower will expand the development even further.

Phase two, which is set to cost in the region of £40million, will add another two towers, bringing the total number of student bedrooms up to 1,116.

The Telegraph has contacted Barberry Group, the developers, to find out when work is set to start.

According to planning documents, the fourth tower will stand at five storeys next to Tower Street and will then rise to eight storeys for the rest of its length.

The fifth tower, which will be connected to the fourth, will rise from nine storeys to 15 storeys and then, half way along the ring road frontage, will rise again to 18 storeys. The ambitious development is being built in a total of four phases.

While the second phase is ready to start, phase three is still at the planning stage.

Phase three involves plans for seven new townhouses with student bedrooms in on the Avis car rental site, next to the new student towers.

Plans have been submitted to council planners and a decision is expected in March.

The fourth phase of the development would involve 260 new homes under a build-to-rent scheme.