Plans to put 162 student flats on a former college site have got the go-ahead after what the developer called a mammoth planning battle.
A planning inspector has given Nottingham-based ALB Group permission to redevelop the former Nottingham College campus in Beeston, after the developer took the case to appeal.
ALB bought the campus on the town’s High Road for an undisclosed sum in 2020, and spent 10 months working with CBP Architects director Simon Birch to redesign the site.
ALB Group managing director Arran Bailey said the plans suffered a setback last September when the council refused planning permission.
After going to appeal he said they were finally given approval this month which will see the main college building converted into student accommodation.
He said: “Despite having the full support of the planning officers and the head of planning at the committee last September, we lost out by one vote, and started the planning appeal process which has set us back 11 months.
“It took a massive toll on the company, and it resulted in me having to let people go.
“We are over the moon to get to this point and happy that we have also been awarded costs. We are looking to get started as quickly as possible onsite.
"It has been a long hard process to get to this point, but it has all worked out for us in the end. After a lot of heartache we can now finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and it has been a very hard journey.
“We are pleased to be involved in the transformation of the Beeston gateway. The site isn’t far from the Beeston Square development, which is a hive of activity, and home to The Arc cinema which opened in May 2021 as part of the Council’s long-term, £50million plans to boost Beeston town centre.
"We cannot wait to get started on site with immediate effect, and make up for lost time on this project. It is our aim that the first apartments will be ready in September 2023.”
Paul Brailsford, national head of planning and environment at law firm Freeths, advised on the planning appeal.
He said: “It is very pleasing that the Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State to determine the appeal has granted planning permission so that the development can now proceed without further delay.
“The inspector acknowledged the sustainable credentials of the proposal and following a thorough analysis of all of the issues concluded that there would be no unacceptable impacts on the local area noting that the council had acted unreasonably in refusing planning permission as they had failed to provide any evidence to support their position.
“With the appellant’s costs for the appeal to be paid in full by the council this is the best possible outcome.”
Simon Birch, from CBP, said: “CBP have supported ALB throughout the planning and appeal process and are delighted that the Planning Inspectorate has supported the application and awarded full approval.
“We are therefore now looking forward to moving the scheme onto the construction phase, assisting ALB to deliver a high quality student residential scheme, providing much needed accommodation and bringing with it the benefits to the local area and boosting local trade."
