The redevelopment of a Lenton car showroom site into a 700-bed student flats complex has been labelled "destructive" by upset local residents. Works are now underway at the huge student development in Derby Road which, until recently, comprised of three car dealerships, occupied by Jaguar, Toyota and Lexus.
While Jaguar has relocated to new premises in Enterprise Way, Toyota and Lexus are in the process of moving into the space previously occupied by Jaguar, leaving their two dealerships vacant. Under an ambitious redevelopment plan, the former Jaguar showroom and garage will be retained, allowing Lexus and Toyota to relocate to this part of the site while other existing buildings and structures have been knocked down.
Two new buildings - three to six storeys in height - are to be built, creating 700 student beds and shared communal spaces. Now, local residents have expressed their concern at the massive development, with problems of noise and road disruption high on the list of reasons they would rather not see more student housing in their area.
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Anthony Shephard, 58, who lives nearby, said: "I don't want to share everything but I think it's a terrible idea, I'm totally against the development. It's not like Nottingham isn't already full of student accommodation.
"There's buildings being built for students all the time in this city it seems and when is enough enough. The noise, the parking, the disruption it's going to cause will be unbearable. I understand that this is a student city now but when is enough enough? It's destructive."
Narendra Desai, 62, who lives close to the development, said: "I don't really know. I am not happy about it because of the number of people moving in and the noise that it will bring.
"But what can you do? Students need to live somewhere and we're in the city, it's right there, so you have to get on with it.
"I'm 50/50 about it because I don't want it this close to home but on the other hand there isn't anything I can do about it and they need to live somewhere. It's a student town."
Another resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I don't like it but there's not much that can be done. That's what the city has turned into, just accommodating for students.
"It's happening now and there isn't anything I can do."
The project was given the green light by Nottingham City Council's planning committee in March 2021.
At the time, a spokesman for developer Unite said: “The design and scale of the proposed building has evolved following a thorough consultation process with residents, community groups, local stakeholders and Nottingham City Council.
"As the UK’s leading developer and provider of purpose-built student accommodation, we take the views and opinions of residents very seriously and have given them the opportunity to comment on our proposals throughout the planning process.
“Our proposal will bring a number of significant benefits to the site, including a commercial building for university use and the creation of a public open green space planted with mature trees and improved access to the River Leen.”
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