A 'dominating' 22-storey tower could soon be constructed as part of a huge city redevelopment. Hundreds of flats will be built reaching up 22-storeys high in a huge redevelopment of land off Queen's Road in Nottingham city centre, if Nottingham City Council's planning committee grants permission for the project on October 19.
The application proposes a purpose-built student accommodation building with 406 beds and two buildings containing a total of 238 build to rent apartments - with the planned 22-storey London Road facing tower similar in scale to Nottingham's tallest building - the Victoria Centre flats. The Old Tracks pub once sat on the site before planning consent for its demolition was granted back in 2001, following this a number of units were built and stood for a number of years.
These were recently inhabited by a number of businesses such as United Carpets and used-car sellers NottinghamCar.com. Permission was then granted to demolish the four units on the site in May of this year, prompting some concern from the businesses themselves, but the impending final decision over the scheme has proved divisive.
Hilary Silvester, executive chair of the Nottingham Civic Society, said: "It seems to be just shorter than the Victoria Centre flats, it's extremely tall and would dominate the entire street scape. It's close the listed Railway Station so they'll be an impact on that and it could affect the view of Nottingham Castle, they've built those other tall things - but they've not been 22-storeys.
"It's out of proportion with the rest of the city really. I don't think we need anything of that size in Nottingham.
"Someone needs to tell them 'come off it chaps, let's not have anything quite so tall'. I think it's all just a bit excessive and yet again it's another bit of the wall being built between The Meadows and the city centre."
Planning officers have recommended that the plans be approved by Nottingham City Council's planning committee. A council planning officer noted the 22 storey tower would be visible in views to and from the conservation area and Station but also that it would be surrounded by other modern developments on Queens Road and London Road.
A spokesperson for developer MRP said: “We are pleased that our application is recommended for approval and scheduled to appear before the planning committee next week. This marks the culmination of a comprehensive planning process, which included positive partnership and collaboration with a range of stakeholders and significant public consultation. If approved this will be a very positive addition to the Nottingham student and residential sectors.”
Opinions were spilt by the massive plans for the site beside the busy junction. Keith and Annette Bryan, both 75, who live in Stapleford echoed the sentiment that the building would overpower nearby landmarks.
"We were just walking up here and I couldn't believe how much had changed. It is going to dominate the area completely, the other new buildings aren't that tall," Mr Bryan said.
Mrs Bryan added: "I do think it would be a bit tall and imposing. The investment is all well and good but they need to be putting this money and effort into the middle of town."
But others argued the large development would provide housing and continue investment into the southside of Nottingham. Jez Poyser, 46, who runs the Porco food stall in Sneinton Market and lives in Lady Bay, said: "I'm generally in favour of it, I do not see a probably with building it here, it's a busy city area not somewhere rural.
"The Victoria flats are that size but are tired, something like this could look really impressive. It will mean more customers for the Cleaver and Wake [Island Quarter] and other businesses and we need all sorts of housing."
Hassan Khan, 38, from The Meadows, said: "Maybe people will not like the student flats but I think it sounds good. People need homes and there is no point leaving it as rubble now.
East Midlands Chamber, which represent businesses in the region, said the planned structure could be an 'eye-catching' addition. chief executive Scott Knowles said: “The Southern Gateway to Nottingham city centre has undergone significant regeneration in the past few years.
“The Unity Square development has been at the pinnacle of this transformation by repurposing derelict land into high-quality offices, and we are now seeing the domino effect of this investment with further construction projects.
“The scale of the proposed development in Queens Road means it has the potential to be a really eye-catching addition to the Nottingham skyline.
“Bringing hundreds of new residents to this area is also an important consideration of the post-Covid city centre, which should comprise a mix of uses for living, working and spending leisure time.
“Developments like this will also be key to unlocking the potential of the nearby Broad Marsh restoration programme as investors can be confident of driving footfall to whatever amenities are located there in future.”
Ahead of the meeting where councillors will have the final decision on the proposed development, a report to the planning committee, a planning officer said: "In conclusion, it is considered that the economic, regeneration and townscape benefits of the scheme for the city represent a level public benefit that can justifiably be weighed against the development’s ‘less than substantial harm’."
Two £200,000 contributions towards public spaces will have to be made by developers for both Phase I of the project (student accommodation), and Phase II (BTR apartments). The council may also potentially require additional financial contributions towards affordable housing, education, public space and local employment.
A Student Management Scheme, which would include a restriction on car usage, mitigation and management of potential noise nuisance, security details, cleaning and refuse management, will also be required.
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