Historic street is turning into ‘student village’
CONSERVATIONISTS SPEAK OUT ON CITY CENTRE PLAN
CONSERVATIONISTS fear that a historic city centre street is being turned into a “student village”.
The warning came after the latest plans for Talbot Street were revealed.
Developers want to knock down a building called Chaddesden House and build 381 student bedrooms over 10 floors.
The latest application follows a number of similar projects which have created vast new student complexes.
Hilary Silvester, vice-president of Nottingham Civic Society, said the history of the street was being buried under the boom in student accommodation.
“It is becoming a student village,” she said.
“I really don’t think the centre of Nottingham is the right place.
“Talbot Street goes up a hill – the tall buildings will loom over the city.
“I think we don’t need things like that – it will affect the character and the views of the city centre.
“Also, it’ll add to the number of people using the streets.
“I don’t feel Talbot Street is the right place for it.”
One of the biggest developments saw the conversion of the former textile factory, Stanley House.
Built more than 150 years ago for lace dressers John and William Lambert, The building’s tower was said to have been built to rival that of St Mary’s Church.
Stanley House was turned into a student block with around 100 bedrooms.
Planning permission was granted earlier this year for a five-storey block of flats for students on the car park on the grounds of Stanley House.
Meanwhile, Lambert House, formerly the home of Experian, has been replaced by 300 student flats following a £30m investment in 2019.
Environmental campaigner Alan Simpson explained his personal affection for Talbot Street.
The former Nottingham South Labour MP said: “Talbot Street is where my constituency office was.
“It is being taken over by student accommodation.
“My worry is that it is a really bad deal for everyone, apart from the developers.
“I was part of the Talbot Street scene – it’s just one of the many arterial parts of the cities that are being changed.”
Mr Simpson added: “Developers are trying to cash in – students are seen as the cash cow that will allow them to do this.
“The city loses out, the students lose out and the environment loses out.
“Developers’ interests are never actually rooted in Nottingham.”
I really don’t think the centre of Nottingham is the right place
Hilary Silvester