Plans to turn a basement in a Nottinghamshire town into flats have been submitted despite a warning they could create “substandard living conditions”. The basement of Broadgate House in Beeston, which is currently a car park, would be turned into 11 one-bedroom studios if plans are approved by Broxtowe Borough Council.
Broadgate House itself is a four-storey office block, which got planning permission in August 2022 to be turned into 84 student beds. The controversial plans included 17 cluster flats and nine studio flats in total, as well as providing off-street parking and a cycle storage area.
Now, applicant BSP Capital wants to turn the basement of the building into studio flats, 15 parking spaces, eight bin stores and facilities such as a laundry, gym, games room and meeting rooms. There would also be a ‘courtyard garden’ and cycle storage.
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But documents show that pre-application advice given by the local authority said the proposed plans represent an “over intensification of the site resulting in substandard living conditions”.
They added: “There are significant concerns with regards to the living conditions of future occupiers, inadequate bin storage, shortfall in vehicle parking and cycle storage. As such, should an application be submitted on the basis of the plans provided the application would likely be recommended refusal.”
But the applicant stated that they had addressed the issues raised and “it is therefore believed that planning permission should be granted”.
Documents with the plans stated: “The site benefits from excellent local amenities with shops, restaurants and bars, all within easy walking distance from the development.
“The site is a few minutes from the main University of Nottingham campus, and local bus and tram stops linked well to the city centre, and train and coach stations.
“Specifically, the application proposal seeks the use of the site for the provision of good quality accommodation with excellent local amenities.” The plans are pending consideration by Broxtowe Borough Council.
