The developer of a 400-bed student complex in the centre of Beeston will be appealing the decision of councillors after plans were turned down despite being recommended for approval. Councillors slapped down the eight-storey student accommodation proposals during a meeting, leaving the developer miffed.
The building just off Station Road and Middle Street would have become the tallest in Beeston if Broxtowe Borough Council's planning committee had approved Cassidy Group's plans. The ground floor would have included a commercial area and a car park would be created.
It would sit opposite the Arc Cinema and Beeston Social, both of which opened recently to critical acclaim. The leader of the council, Milan Radulovic, had previously stated Beeston Square had been a "sleeping giant" and its regeneration has proved immensely popular already.
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The proposals for the 419-bed block however were turned down during a planning meeting on July 27. Giving the reasons for this councillor David Watts, the chairman of Broxtowe's planning committee who represents Bramcote for the Lib Dems, told Nottinghamshire Live there were four primary issues.
He said: "The first is the viability and the town centre would be affected if we do not have a community there all year. It was around having a resident community as opposed to those only there part of the year. The development was very substandard in terms of the size of the rooms.
"And we do not think it would ease pressures on HMOs because no one would want to stay there for three years. It also offered no parking for tenants. The scheme would do nothing to help the council's housing needs because there would be nothing for local people.
"The four areas were discussed at length. It is never going to be the right thing to put in Beeston town centre. I've got no problem with students in Beeston but we also need to have accommodation for local people."
Councillor Watts says despite the plans being recommended by planning officers, it is councillors who "ultimately" decide what is pushed through. Responding a Cassidy spokesperson said: “We are naturally disappointed with the decision, having worked closely with the officers at Broxtowe Borough Council.
"We thank officers for their support and will be submitting an appeal against the planning committee’s decision forthwith.”
Residents in the area remained divided over the proposals. Noel Maguire, who was in Beeston Square, said: "This is a students' city. We've got 40,000 students so of course they should build it there.
"They are the lifeblood of the city."
However other residents agreed with the decision of the planning committee. Mandy Mcdaid, who works as Tesco off Beeston Square, said: "They are going to do the college for students so why should they have this bit as well?
"It needs more shops."
And a resident of seven years, who asked to remain anonymous, added: "We need other things like housing for normal people.
"What the hell for? We need another shopping centre, we didn't want more students here running riot."
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