Plans for a new student housing development have been submitted to Nottingham City Council, just days after the council's leader Neghat Khan stated the city has enough student accommodation. If approved, the four-storey development located at Dominion House on Castle Boulevard will feature 141 bedrooms and two retail units on the ground floor, which is currently occupied by Zoo Interiors, a furniture showroom.
Zoo Interiors is set to relocate to a new location by March 2025, paving the way for the transformation of the site. According to planning documents, the current building has a history dating back to the early 1950s when it served as a vehicle repair shop and showroom. By the 1990s, it was repurposed for bulky goods and retail activities.
Alongside the main development at Dominion House, the plans also encompass two houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) at 49 and 51 Fishpond Drive, which collectively will maintain four existing bedrooms. The proposal involves the demolition of the existing showroom structure, though the original façade will be preserved as part of the project. The development plans project the creation of 122 cluster bedrooms and 15 studio apartments, resulting in 141 total accommodation units.
The comprehensive design and access statement filed with the planning application highlights the advantageous location of the proposed development. "The development has a desirable location, within walking distance of the new University of Nottingham Castle Meadow Campus, the city centre and several transport links. It will offer high-quality student accommodation in a sustainable location," the document states.
This infusion of new housing aims to cater to the growing student population amid concerns about adequate living conditions. Interestingly, these proposals arrive just after Neghat Khan expressed her view at the city council meeting, saying: "We’ve got enough of it [student accommodation]." Khan has also been clear about her intentions for the Broad Marsh development, stating it will not include any student accommodation. Instead, the plan prioritizes family housing and residential options for working-class people.
Councilor Kevin Clarke, who leads the opposition, echoed similar sentiments during Monday's meeting. He remarked, "I hope the council gives a commitment ... on the [Broad Marsh] site rather than purpose-built student accommodation," to which Khan responded, "That’s exactly what we’re asking for, no more student accommodation around the city centre. We've got enough of it." This indicates the council's shift toward enhancing family residence opportunities within the city.
Despite the council’s position against more student housing, the proposals for the Castle Boulevard block cannot be straightforwardly dismissed without valid grounds related to traffic or relevant planning issues. If the authority were to reject the application without justifiable reasoning, it could face repercussions. The government’s planning inspectors are inclined to overturn such decisions, which could result in financial liabilities for the council if the developer pursued appeal routes.
Traditionally, Nottingham City Council has managed to balance the demand for student accommodation by approving only housing strictly built for students, leading to projected statistics claiming nearly 80 percent of students would find housing catered directly to their needs by 2027. This approach is part and parcel of their strategy to revitalize the housing market.
Last year, the council claimed to have solid evidence indicating family homes were returning to the market, with around 200 residential properties shifting away from student occupancy annually. This is seen as positive progress, enhancing the availability of family-friendly homes.
With the council's focus on family housing and community integrity, Nottingham's aspirations to repurpose areas like the Broad Marsh and continue with developments like Dominion House signify the continuous evolution of housing dynamics within the city.