‘Landmark’ city school in line to be student flats
DEVELOPERS UNVEIL VISION FOR VICTORIAN BUILDING
PICTURES have shown a vision to transform a ‘landmark’ old school site in Radford into student flats.
The Radford Boulevard Board School, on the corner of Ilkeston Road and Lenton Boulevard, was originally built in the late 19th century and has been vacant for a number of years.
Under regeneration proposals, the façade and interior will be repaired while newer 20th century buildings will be demolished in favour of new structures. Developers propose to create 158 student beds across three buildings, including the old school and gate house.
James O’brien, head of planning at Bmor, one of the groups behind the plans, said: “We are thrilled to have submitted planning for this exciting redevelopment of one of Nottingham’s landmark buildings.
“It seems fitting that the building has been used as a school for many years and will hopefully become home to students coming to the city.
“With more than 65,000 students in the city, we want to offer purpose-built housing that is top quality and provides a secure environment from which to study, as well as freeing up the suburbs for growing families. We’re therefore very excited about these proposals and look forward to hearing the verdict.”
Plans have been submitted to Nottingham City Council. The project is a joint venture between developer Bmor, BITG and Sam Burt, who is behind several development sites in the city.
The student complex is expected to include communal areas, a reception office and shared courtyard garden. The plans have been drawn up by architects Leonard Design.
Director John Morgan said: “The proposed designs have been considered to ensure that the development is not only fit for purpose but adds to the townscape value.
“The school building is a fantastic structure, so we’re delighted to restore it to its former glory with a restored heritage façade and a full interior refurbishment. The two new buildings have been designed with a similar brick and influenced by the style of the original building to ensure a cohesive site.
“We also really thought about what students would want from this scheme and have therefore included plenty of amenity space as well as an external landscaped garden for them to enjoy.”
Last known as Radford Community Centre, the site was put up for sale by the city council in 2018 after it was deemed surplus to requirements.
It used to be home to council staff and three community groups. It was previously reported that demolition signs had appeared at the site.
Hilary Silvester, executive chair of Nottingham Civic Society, said: “It’s a prominent position on that corner and it’s a very familiar site, people coming into Nottingham pass by it.
“It’s a typical Victorian board school. It’s a landmark building, it’s known to people who use Ilkeston Road, they might not look at it or may not be all that aware of it but it’s in their subconscious. Buildings need to be used otherwise they fall into dilapidation.
“The thing about student buildings, I would say, are they needed? Well, I suppose they are quite near to either, or both, universities - they are in between those. It’s probably one of the better buildings to use for students, if they are not proposing to alter it and it’s convenient for the universities and it doesn’t involve high-rise blocks or anything like that.
“It’s not in a residential area particularly, it’s not like the ones further up the road that are in places where they have had a lot of problems with converted houses or houses in multiple occupation.”