Fears students will take family homes
CONCERN NEW ‘AFFORDABLE HOUSES’ WILL BECOME RENTALS
A PLAN to build 36 “family” homes has provoked concern that the new builds could be used to add more student housing to a city neighbourhood.
Under new proposals the disused land on Prospect Place in Lenton would be transformed into the homes, described by the developer behind the plans as “affordable family housing”.
Located between The Lenton Centre, Edna G Olds Academy, Skateland Nottingham and Tesco Express, the new estate would comprise 15 two-bedroom houses, 19 three-bedroom houses and a pair of two-bedroom properties.
Kate Loewenthal, chair of the Lenton Drive and Neighbours Residents’ Association, said she was concerned that the homes in a “prime location” could easily be used for student rental property.
She added: “With it being made of mostly two- and three-bedroom houses, I don’t think it’s a good idea.
“We were excited about the Sandfield development which was similar and a lot of the properties there have been bought as student lets – I’d guess a very high percentage have been.
“Anywhere you look two-bedrooms are being used as student lets and a big part of this development is more two-bedroom houses.
“We’re not anti-student at all but we desperately need more properties that will actually be bought by families in order to balance our community.
“It’s a prime location for families as it’s walking distance from town and also from great schools and the Lenton Centre nearby. It would be a waste if it wasn’t used for actual family housing.
“But the two-bedroom properties are prime targets for student landlords and I’m sure they’d be snapped up.”
The plans also show that there would be a community area in between the houses on the estate.
A planning document, submitted on behalf of Tune Developments Limited, says: “This application for a family housing development of 36 affordable homes has been carefully considered in relation to the surrounding context and with the aim of creating a high quality new community.
“The design approach set out in this document and in the information submitted with this application, we believe, is wholly in accordance with local and national planning policy and we therefore trust the council will look favourably upon the proposal and support the application for new dwellings on this site.”
The application will be decided by Nottingham City Council.