New plans have been put forward to alter the transformation of a 'horrific 60s lump' in Nottingham. Plans were recently submitted to reduce the number of rooms in the student tower set to replace the Bendigo building, on Bath Street, and quicken construction by using different materials.
The former Royal Mail sorting office has previously been labelled Nottingham's ugliest building and was due to be demolished soon to make way for a 13-storey student building providing 692 bed spaces. Nottingham City Council passed the plans for the huge redevelopment in August 2021, but Bricks Group, which bought the plot and plans in April, has now sought to alter the plans.
Local residents were keen to see the empty building pulled down, although some were less enthusiastic about its planned replacement. John Gunn, 49, from Carlton said: "It is a big lump of 60s horrific-ness. It looks very tired and out of date.
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"I would rather they didn't have it knock it down - think of all the energy and resource that went into building it. But if there's a technical reason or if it's beyond saving, then it needs to come down.
"It is degenerating into an eyesore. We don't need more student flats though."
John Starbuck, 67, from West Bridgford, said: "I remember when this was all built. In its day it was alright looking but it has aged very badly, it is time for it to go.
"It is in a right state now. That's what happens when you don't have any foresight, we have Victorian buildings that look great but this 60s style has not aged well.
"Everything is being geared towards students though. They bring a lot to the city but the [amount of] student accommodation just keeps growing - I think there needs to be a little more balance."
Nottingham City Council previously explained that Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) should free up family homes in Nottingham. In 2021 the city council found Nottingham would need 5,000 extra rooms to be built by 2024/25 to deal with increases in demand.
Matt Horobin, 50, from Woodthorpe added: "It's an ugly building and I don't think it will be missed much. It's been empty for a long time.
"But Nottingham is really turning into a student city, it's a bit dead if you're not. It's lost the independent scene and vibe it once had."
Workers have been removing asbestos from the building, which has stood vacant for 20 years. Nottingham City Council recently confirmed temporary traffic lights will be in place nearby from October 15 to October 21 so demolition works can be carried out.
Godwin Developments, the original applicant for the student scheme, sold the approved scheme in April to Bricks Group. Previous plans for a nine to fourteen-storey block with 244 apartments for the site were approved in 2008 after an appeal but the permission expired before it was implemented.
The initial student block plans were approved after nearly £1 million worth of Section 106 planning obligations were secured. An off-site Open Space contribution of £713,452 will be made by developers.
A financial contribution of £103,460 towards employment and training will also be put toward the local area. The developer will also have to implement a student management plan and restrict residents from keeping private vehicles on site.
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