An 'eyesore' row of Victorian buildings will be demolished to make way for hundreds of new flats. The old buildings on Union Street, St Ann's will be replaced by a pair of five-storey and six-storey towers, after plans were approved by Nottingham City Council on June 8.
The new two student accommodation buildings, placed on Union Road and on St Marks Street, would contain 139 and 110 studios respectively. Some locals were enthused by the future for the collection of former industrial buildings, which would also provide a communal courtyard between the new buildings and basement parking.
Michael Nelson, 65, was keen to praise the idea, which he said would 'illuminate' the area. "It would be a great idea, it would illuminate the place and brighten it all up a bit," Mr Nelson said.
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"It would seem like the most promising idea for that building, with it being empty for a few years now. It could do with knocking down and tidying up, as this is on the edge between St Ann's and Nottingham city centre.
"It would bring a little bit of life back that went when Aldi went. I would recommend it as something that would improve the area."
Paul Williams, 49, from St Ann's, said: "I would be all for it being tidied up but I would prefer to not lose the heritage of the older buildings. It is an eyesore at the minute and nothing is happening with it, I don't remember the last time there was someone in there.
"I think the students being here has made the area safer, and has pushed the city centre further out. But I would like some parts of the old buildings to be saved, but if that can't be done I would rather it was knocked down and replaced by something people would use."
Planning permission was granted in October 2019 for Phase 1 of the development elsewhere on the street which would see five cluster flats (50 beds) constructed. Amended plans were approved in January 2020 increasing the number of bedrooms to 58.
Others though disliked the area of more student accommodation being place in the city. Sandra McCoy, who lives in St Ann's added: "There's too much of it in the city. There's no need for it, why not bring more social housing or even build a supermarket to compete with Tesco.
"We need things that serve the needs of the people in St Ann's. I would really like something more people could use, it is not just about the students."
Dave Liversidge, ward councillor for St Ann’s for Labour at the city council, and Hilary Silvester, the executive chair of the Nottingham Civic Society, have previously criticised what they see as a 'wall' of student accommodation buildings. They were both against the fresh plans.
"My view is that we do not need even more student flats. If something could be built there which local residents could use that would be preferable," Mr Liversidge said.
"If they could knock it down and build another place Aldi or a Lidl could rent out, that would be better. There is little in that area of St Ann's."
Ms Silvester added: "It depends on the impact on the street scene, hopefully it will not contribute to the wall cutting off St Ann's. Tall buildings aren't appropriate and five or six storeys are on the limit of what is acceptable I think.
"We would not want to destroy the Victorian buildings if it was possible for them to be converted. It is better for buildings to be re-used than to put up brand new ones."
In a planning document, Zenith Planning and Design on behalf of applicant Environment Design Consultants said: "The proposal will fulfil an economic role by bringing forward the development of a vacant brownfield site and by providing employment during the construction phase.
"It will fulfil an economic and social role by providing accommodation for students who will then make use of local facilities including local shops, public houses, restaurants and hot food takeaways, and leisure facilities. It will fulfil an environmental role by improving the appearance of a poor quality site through the erection of a well-designed buildings which will enhance the appearance of the street scene."
