Change on the horizon
Purpose-built student accommodation appears to have dominated the construction projects in Nottingham city centre this year. JOSHUA HARTLEY looks at some of the schemes currently under way and those about to be started
A NUMBER of huge developments are currently being built as demand for Nottingham’s universities continues to increase.
Nottingham City Council has said there is a shortfall of available student bed spaces in the city – with around 7,000 rooms needed over just the next three years.
This is despite a large amount of purpose-built accommodation either in construction or going through the planning process, which has recently caused some concern over its impact on the city’s character.
The most common locations within Nottingham for the developments are the city centre, Radford, and around the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus.
Here, we look at some of the developments which are progressing in the city as demand grows.
Derby Road
This site in Lenton previously comprised two car dealerships, Toyota and Lexus, and will be replaced by two new buildings - three to six storeys in height - creating 661 flats and 39 studio apartments.
Toyota and Lexus relocated to the former Jaguar showroom next door prior to work starting, with Jaguar having moved to new premises in Enterprise Way.
When the Post asked locals about the plans, many of them students themselves, they felt more purposebuilt accommodation was a positive for the area.
Lister Gate Marks and Spencer’s
The transformation of the former Marks and Spencer Home store on Lister Gate into student accommodation was given planning permission on December 1.
The site of the former Lister Gate shop, which has stood empty since 2020, is set to be transformed into a 156-bed student block.
It was also previously home to a Woolworths.
Under plans put forward for the plot, there will also be two refurbished retail units located on the ground and first floors, with the student accommodation behind and above in the five- and six-storey building.
Parts of the first and second floors will be demolished to transform the old store.
The plans have previously been welcomed by a retail expert as “excellent”.
Lower Parliament Street
This development will create 354 student bedrooms and is currently starting construction work.
Two large blocks of flats will be built on the site where a former Housing Aid building was knocked down.
Traffic Street
Real estate developer Jensco is currently building a 522-student bedroom complex at Ten Traffic Street.
Work started in December 2020 at the site and is expected to be completed this August ahead of the new academic year.
Wilford Road
Although only in the early stages of planning, in October 2021, the developers behind Ten Traffic Street development plan also submitted a pre-application to Nottingham City Council for a 19-storey, 356 student bedroom, development on 3 Wilford Road.
The consultation phase of the development closed on December 23.
Traffic Street, Enterprise site
Planning permission was granted for the major student accommodation scheme in Traffic Street, part of Nottingham’s Southside Regeneration Area, by Nottingham City Council on November 8.
The development will be five and six storeys in height and offer 297 bedrooms, across a mix of apartments and studios.
There will be a wide range of amenities and facilities including a cinema, gym, study rooms, a communal lounge, laundry facilities and cycle storage.
The site is currently occupied by two industrial units, hosting Enterprise Car & Van Hire, and a parking area, and was historically used as a sawmill.
The developer, Urban Developments Ltd, has previously indicated it aims for the building to be complete by summer 2023.
Island Quarter
In September, Nottingham City Council granted planning permission for a 702-bed scheme to be built on The Island Quarter, a £1 billion 36-acre redevelopment in Nottingham.
Of the three blocks planned, the tallest would be 12 storeys with the remaining two blocks being nine and eight storeys high.
The blocks would provide 284, 196 and 226 units respectively, with the two taller blocks providing cluster flats and the shortest providing studio flats.
The space is currently undeveloped and is empty other than temporary car parking.
The scheme should be available for students to occupy at the start of the 2023/24 academic year.
A joint statement by University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University said: “Students play a vital role in the economic, social and cultural life of the city, spending more than £145 million every year in local businesses and shops, supporting 25,000 jobs, and contributing over 150,000 hours volunteering to local communities and good causes across the city.
“Both universities are currently working in partnership with Nottingham City Council to develop a ‘Student Living Strategy’ for the city to ensure that there is good quality affordable accommodation across the city that is sustainable and supports diverse, cohesive communities built on mutual respect and understanding.
“Purpose-built student accommodation for new and returning students in suitable locations regenerates brownfield sites, revitalises areas of the city, releases housing stock for families and acts as a catalyst for further urban development and job creation.”