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Amended plans for a £35m student accommodation development are set to be green-lighted by Leicester City Council's planning committee today (22 November 2011). Despite more than 300 objections to the scheme, the 581-bed proposals are being recommended for approval.

Plans for the student accommodation on the Western Road site comprise four buildings totalling between five and eight floors.

Two five-storey blocks would accommodate the 581 bedspaces while the two larger buildings would house utilities, a cafe, gym, reception and staff areas.

They have been submitted by Jamie Lewis Residential Lettings, and have been altered after concerns were raised regarding the original scheme's scale and height in 2010.

Initial plans proposed a building of up to 15 storeys comprising 1,000 student beds.

But despite the alterations, a petition attracting 117 signatures has been submitted by local residents objecting to the development, joining an original 192-strong letter of protest which was re-submitted.

The petition brought by Upperton Road Area Residents' Association (UARA), raised concerns regarding lack of need for more student accommodation; loss of daylight; increase in noise and anti-social behaviour.

Additional complaints were received on the grounds of lack of privacy for nearby residents; a "clash of lifestyles"; and the high number of similar schemes either underway or developed within the area.

The £35m accommodation scheme would be primarily used for students at De Montfort University and would create "hundreds of jobs", said Jamie Lewis Residential Lettings.

It would provide "first class accommodation that will enhance De Montfort University’s general offering and improve its competitiveness with other Universities in terms of attracting students", added the applicant.

Council officers have recommended the plans for approval subject to conditions. The developer must make a contribution of £117,000 and must start work on-site within three years. It must also give details of management plans, an external lighting scheme and crime prevention among other measures.

In total, officers listed 24 conditions which should be met before approval.

Leicester City Council's planning committee will vote on the scheme later today.