Demolition will be fresh start
BACKING FOR NEW STUDENT BLOCK
RESIDENTS are excited about the Bendigo building in Bath Street being demolished and for new flats being built.
Nottingham City Council has approved a plan for a 13-storey tower block to help with the rise of the number of students in the city.
Previously a Royal Mail sorting office, the building has been empty for 20 years.
Dave Smith, 56, who lives near the city centre, thinks the building is in desperate need of sorting out.
He said: “It’s been vacant for ages and just looks derelict.
“It’s incredibly ugly. They need to demolish it and start again.
“I can see why it’s becoming student accommodation – it’s a prime site.”
The new development will have 692 beds and a landscape garden with outdoor seating.
Another resident, Robert Lea, 70, also thinks the development is a good idea.
He said: “It’s really accessible for students.
“It’s close to the universities and the building won’t be out of place.
“It’s not going to mask anything – it’s great.”
Lolwah Alsharaf, 31, who lives next to the building at Marco Island, also thinks it will make the area look better.
She said: “I think it’s a good idea. It’ll impact my life as well. It’ll look nicer and I think it’s worth changing.
“It might have been better as private flats, so everyone could rent.
“But I think it’ll be great.”
It’s incredibly ugly. They need to demolish it and start again
Dave Smith
Developer Godwin Developments said the scheme would include a mixture of studio apartments, accessible studio rooms and four-, fiveand six-bedroom clusters.