A 'particularly poor' Nottingham building that houses two shops is set to be transformed by student flats. A plan to extend and convert the building where Poundland and Bonmarché trade from in Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham city centre, has been recommended for approval at Nottingham City Council's planning committee on February 22.
The two businesses will stay in the building if the plans are approved, as the property's basement will be refurbished to make up for the conversion of the existing first floor storage area. An upward extension would make the building five storeys at its tallest, with the upper floors turned into space for 104 student beds.
The project would also include communal lounges, a gym, a laundry room and cycle store with two small roof gardens. The development would be three storeys at the northern end facing Lower Parliament Street, stepping up to five storeys facing Thurland Street.
In a report submitted ahead of the committee, a planning officer labelled the existing building as being of "particularly poor architectural quality that is harmful to its immediate context and the pedestrian experience of its surrounding streets".
The officer, who advised councillors should grant planning permission, added: "The existing building is of poor architectural quality that is harmful to its immediate context and adjacent streets in particular. The proposed scheme, including the re-facading of the existing building, would transform the appearance of this property and functionally how it interacts with the adjacent streets, thereby constituting significant regeneration."
It was also said that monitoring reports on the provision of student accommodation had "consistently illustrated" the need to maintain the supply of additional bed spaces in Nottingham to meet demand. Nottingham City Council has previously explained 'purpose built student accommodation' should free up family homes in the city.
In response to the plans, the Nottingham Civic Society expressed disappointment that the bridge across Lower Parliament Street, which is not owned by applicant Maven, would not be removed. On the other hand, they said the changes could improve the street appearance in both conservation areas nearby (Lace Market and Old Market Square) and "enliven" the side elevations, encouraging street traders.
The units between 191 and 195 Lower Parliament Street were previously sold to property investors Maven Capital Partners for £3.7 million. The space was originally built as part of the Victoria Centre, connected by the bridge over Lower Parliament Street.
When the plans were first put forward, Carolyn McEwan of Maven Capital Partners said: “This scheme will see the complete transformation of a building that is one of the less attractive in Nottingham city centre.
"Our proposals would see an attractive development brought forward to serve Nottingham’s growing student population and to improve the look and feel of the local area.
"In addition, by incorporating yet improving the existing structure into our development we can reduce the environmental impact of construction to create a more sustainable development.”
In planning documents, Nottingham City Council officers said a financial contribution of £122,481 towards off-site public open space would be required, as well as a financial contribution of £200,659 towards off-site affordable housing.
Local employment and training opportunities would also be part of the developer's obligations, including a financial contribution of £23,212. A student management scheme, which would include a restriction on car usage, is another one of these conditions.
Elsewhere in Lower Parliament Street, in 2021 plans were approved to create 10-storey block of flats with 275 student bed spaces in the building that had been occupied by Argos. Despite previous assertions that this would not result in the closure of the store, Argos' city centre shop closed on January 14.
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