GO-AHEAD FOR STUDENT BLOCK WITH 3-MILE PARKING BAN

A NEW student block in Coventry with a controversial three-mile parking ban has been approved by the city council’s planning committee, despite objections.

Planning officer Emma Spandley had recommended approval for the 436-bed block on Albany Road, Earlsdon, at a meeting on Wednesday, November 20.

Six letters of objection were received and protest from Cllr

Bally Singh, largely due to a lack of parking and impact on neighbouring residential streets.

Only 21 car parking spaces were included, Ms Spandley said, falling below the requirements set out in the Local Plan for this size building 109 spaces.

But she said: “Highways raise no objection to the parking as the reduced space has been considered in regards to the nature of the proposed development, expected nature of people staying which is students, and regard has also been given to the wider transport provisions which include bus stops for Warwick University and the city centre which is for Coventry University.”

A ‘no car policy’ had also been proposed by developer Cassidy Group, which prevents students from bringing or parking a vehicle within three miles of the site or face forfeiting their tenancy and deposits.

Residents had previously dubbed the plan unenforceable, with Ms Spandley admitting to councillors that “it isn’t something we can enforce as an authority”.

But she said residents will be able to report breaches to the developer, adding there are already a number of parking restrictions in the area such as residents’ parking schemes and double-yellow lines.

The site used to home the former Spencer Sports and Social Club but has been derelict since 2016..

“It has been used for fly-tipping, drugs and anti-social behaviour,” Ms Spandley added.

Student blocks will be up to six storeys high, but drop to three nearest to residential homes, with Ms Spandley stating separation distances between existing homes “exceed” requirements.

A condition has also been imposed that only students can occupy the building, while the site will also have a gated entrance manned 24/7 to keep it secure, Ms Spandley said. Some concern was raised over the ‘small size’ of student cluster rooms and the lack of greenery. But Catherine Miks said: “It is a large development and we know that we need to have students living in purpose built student accommodation so it frees up houses.”

Cassidy Homes’ first application sparked five petitions with a total of 171 signatures, but the revised plans decreased the total number of student beds from 570 to 436, and the maximum height from eight storeys to six.