Meadows ‘cut off’ by wall of student blocks
CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT SCALE OF NEW ACCOMMODATION
RESIDENTS of The Meadows have talked about living behind a wall of new student accommodation.
There had been concerns that the area was being separated from the rest of city by the large student buildings that have been built or planned in between the area and the city centre.
Traffic Street, for example, is now home to a number of large student accommodation buildings, like the Vantage building and Printworks development.
New developments include a 297-bedroom student accommodation block that will be five and six storeys in height. City planners approved the scheme in November.
Simon Allen, treasurer for the Old Meadows Tenants and Residents Association, agreed with the sentiment that the area was being “walled off”.
He said: “It is quite a topic of conversation for us, the discussions we have had show that some people do feel like there is a wall forming of these big buildings in front of us.
“We worked to get conservation status for the Meadows and a part of that is line of sight - and with these big structures lines of sight to Nottingham Castle or to St Mary’s church are impacted.
“It does at least visually cut us off and the people that leave nearer by may be concerned about these towering buildings.
“And we’re just talking about the scale of the buildings here, then you’ve got the usual worries over stuff like the effect the students will have on parking and local services. That being said we don’t think time should stand still, we’re not Nimbys and we appreciate there is a demand for student accommodation here.”
Residents had mixed feelings on the claims that The Meadows was being isolated, but some did have concerns about the scale of the buildings.
Colin Foster, 61, who is retired and from The Meadows, said: “I’m not sure about the monstrosity they’ve already built here [on Traffic Street] - it’s huge isn’t it.
“There’s already two massive blocks. I’m not sure where all these students are coming from and what’s happening to their old buildings. I think in the down times when there’s no students around like near Christmas and through the summer – I think a lot of these areas will be like ghost towns. They’ll just be empty.”
Inayat Vanat, 52, a machine operator from The Meadows, said: “We’ve just had the new tax office built so I don’t think these will make any difference. It’s in the city as well so why not have bigger buildings.
“For the students there’s a couple of good colleges here and universities. It brings more people into the town - it’s good for the economy. Nottingham is an upcoming city still. I’ve been here 40 years - it’s great to have life in Nottingham.”
A Meadows resident, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “I don’t know whether it’s needed. I do know a lot of people complain about all the student accommodation going up. There’s so much of it going up something else could be there. You look at all the shops closed and banks closed - you’ve got nothing in The Meadows.
“But it’s a suitable place, it’s next to town, the train station and the tram stop. I don’t think it isolates the Meadows.”
Nottingham City Council portfolio holder for Planning and Housing, Councillor Linda Woodings, who represents the Basford ward for Labour, said: “An area of former industrial land between the railway line and the inner ring road on Traffic Street that has been a blight for many years is being reinvented, with all its vacant and cleared sites either currently being developed, with permission to be developed or subject to imminent planning application – mainly for purpose-built student accommodation.
“This offers a suitable location for such accommodation that is well related to the city centre and tram to the University of Nottingham, but also separated from The Meadows community by Waterway Street and tram line.
“The developments will help to meet the needs of the city’s existing and expanding student population by offering a good quality, well managed and attractive alternative to HMO properties in general housing, which we would like to keep for family homes.
“The scale of the buildings has been carefully considered to avoid an excessive wall of development.
“Most are five to six stories, taking their cue from the former Victorian warehouse buildings in the area, and appropriate to the wide adjacent inner ring road. Taller elements are limited to the eastern and western ends, acting as landmark bookends.
“Initial proposals from developers sought to maintain this taller scale all along Traffic Street, but the council has suppressed these unrealistic proposals to better respect the local townscape. The council and developers engaged with representatives from The Meadows community as the proposals came forward, which has helped to inform the approach adopted towards the scale of these developments.”