A narrow Nottingham street soon to be flanked by a series of large apartment blocks has been labelled a 'student colony' by local residents. Traffic Street, on the edge of Nottingham city centre near the city's railway station, was traditionally known for its brick warehouses, occupied by electricians, plumbers and furniture traders.
But over recent years these have rapidly given way to a more striking setting, with one side of the street now a vast wall of student accommodation. The Vantage, a 12-storey building housing 462 bedrooms, and the multi-storey 10 Traffic Street have already opened to student tenants, while construction workers are making the finishing touches to other neighbouring blocks.
On the other side of the street, machinery is now clearing the recently demolished Enterprise Car & Van Hire building in preparation for a new 297-bedroom student accommodation building. Land next to this site facing onto Wilford Road is also earmarked for a 19 storey 356-room student tower, all of which a conservationist says will create a 'claustrophobic tunnel'.
Read more: Nottingham city centre buildings demolished in plan to 'create life' in area
Hilary Silvester, executive chair of the Nottingham Civic Society, said: "The problem is not just the height and that they cut off The Meadows, but that I do find it is very claustrophobic down there. They kind of lean over you, they're too tall for the width of the street.
"[With the new buildings on the other side] you'd be in a tunnel wouldn't you. The city council wants to keep up with other cities, but other cities aren't quite like Nottingham, the big ones Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds all started as fairly recent industrial cities - they're not old historical cities like Nottingham is.
"It is difficult for them I understand but on the other hand it is actually ruining part of what makes Nottingham. The whole thing is a little depressing to see Nottingham disappearing in this way, obviously the council want to build up the city's prosperity but I don't know if this is the way to do it - you can't stay the same forever but you can endeavour to respect what is there."
Nottingham City Council have previously explained 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.
Retired Dave Southern, 73 and from Wilford, said: "The amount of change is incredible. It used to be industrial down here but I think students are Nottingham's biggest industry now.
"It's a good idea to concentrate students in one area, as you do get some less civilised ones - no one really lives next to these buildings. It's a bit like a student colony down here, but if it frees up family homes then that's good for everyone too."
Bob Jones, 69, from Wilford, said: "It is very impressive but then you have these very nice apartments facing The Meadows, which is a lot different. The only place really for the city to expand is to the south.
"I used to go to the plumbing shop down here, so I had to go somewhere else when it went. But they've got to put all these students somewhere."
A former Traffic Street resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I grew up on this street in one of the few houses that's now been knocked down for student accommodation. It was probably one of the busiest streets in Nottingham at one time, there were a lot of employers down here.
"You had businesses like the enamellers and lighting place that were here. People don't usually have a problem with students, but I think this is too much."
East Midlands Chamber, which represents businesses in the region, said the projects on Traffic Street would contribute more than just change the city's skyline. East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Along with the Unity Square and Queens Street developments, the transformation of the Traffic Street area over the past couple of years has played a major role in improving the Southern Gateway into Nottingham city centre.
“Not only do these buildings give the skyline a refresh, but bringing hundreds of students and residents to this area drives footfall to city centre businesses.
“At a time when many of these have suffered due to pandemic restrictions, a new hybrid working model and a cost-of-doing-business crisis, this provides a real boost and will ensure the amenities we all enjoy in our cities continue to thrive.
“Developments like these are also key to unlocking the potential of the nearby Broad Marsh regeneration programme. Investors can see something exciting is happening in Nottingham and will want to get behind it.”
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