808-bed student block gets backing despite big protest

CONTROVERSIAL plans for an 808bed student block in Coventry have been given the green light, despite mass protest from concerned residents.

Around 50 residents packed out a planning meeting on Thursday to oppose the six-floor student block plan near the University of Warwick onDe Montfort Way.

The scheme, which redevelops on the Cannon Park Shopping Centre, also includes a 67-space car park and new 442 space multi-storey car park.

One objector, Mr Goodwin, said: “Residents do not object to student residence, what they object to is six floors.

“It will be a blot on the rural skyline.”

Ward councillor Tim Sawdon added: “We believe the development is far too large.

“It is damaging to the environment and overbearing in relation to the church and local properties. “It is out of character to the area.” Residents complained developers ES Coventry Ltd had not fairly represented the size of the scheme in their CGI proposals.

But planning officer Mary-Ann Jones told them while parts of the building will be over six floors, it was “staggered” and not across the entire building.

“When this scheme came in to officersit was a lot bigger than what is it now,” she added. It is sunken down and set back and we feel that way the building is designed actually it is going to be acceptable in relation to nearby properties.”

But Cllr Gary Crookes said: “They have reduced it from the original but they have not reduced it enough. It will overshadow the shopping centre.”

The building will be sunken down by two metres, Ms Jones said, and trees will be planted to shield it from view.

But 36 per cent of trees would be lost which led to concerns, but Ms Jones added additional “high quality native planting” was being carried out.

Agent for the applicant Pauline Roberts said the development would help to reduce the demands on housing, providing “high quality purpose-built student accommodation”.

Head of planning Tracy Miller added: “This is student accommodation to address the need.

“Warwick University is going to continue to grow whether accommodation is provided or not.

“If we do not provide the accommodation one thing that will happen is that family houses will be used by students.

“We have not provided enough student accommodationfor universities.”

Councillors approved the plan six in favour and one against, with the condition a ‘trolley management plan’ will be written to ensure trolleys from the shopping centre are kept in a suitable place.