Objections urged for student scheme
Northampton Borough Councillors were last night being urged to raise objections to a controversial 406-bed student accommodation and retail scheme.
The plans submitted by developer Venulum Property Investments went before the council's planning committee last night (13 December), ahead of a decision from West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC).
Proposals were put forward for the construction of 406 student bedrooms and 3,100 sq ft of retail space in the largely residential area off Bective Road.
The developer has requested permission to demolish the existing Bective works and Jebez House to erect the new development.
Council officers recommended that objections be raised on the grounds that the proposals would have "an adverse impact" on residential and visual amenity, adding that it failed to comply with several local plan policies.
The 0.7ha site proposes the student bedrooms be constructed in a six-storey tower. It also includes the provision of 17 car parking spaces, a gymnasium, laundry room and communal areas.
Earlier this year, Venulum Property Investments applied for permission to construct 155 flats on the same site, which was granted by WNDC, but the development never materialised.
Council officers said that the presence of previously approved schemes "does not set a precedent" for a development of the revised scale.
Concluding, officers stated: "Although the principle of developing this site for residential purposes is acceptable, there are significant concerns regarding the scale of the proposed development given the density of accommodation and the impact of the proposal upon visual and residential amenity."
WNDC will give its verdict on the proposals early next year.
