‘Enough’ – council leader rules out student digs on former Broadmarsh shopping centre site

The Labour leader of Nottingham City Council has ruled out building any student accommodation on the site of the

Councillor Neghat Khan

former Broadmarsh Shopping Centre – a move which has been welcomed by one well-known city residential developer.

Councillor Neghat Khan said the plans for regenerating the derelict site in Nottingham city centre will be revealed in March. She told a full council meeting on Monday that she will prioritise the building of family homes on the site, saying that there was “enough” student accommodation in the city centre.

Khan told the council meeting that her team is currently working with advisors to finalise the best way ahead for the Broad Marsh area, which in a state of disrepair after only being partially demolished.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, she said: “This site, as all councillors will appreciate, is of immense geographical and strategic importance to Nottingham and it is vital we get this right.

“We have made steady progress to delivering our vision for Broadmarsh and it was incredibly exciting last year to see that vision come to life.”

Responding to a question from councillor Kevin Clarke, the leader of the independents on Nottingham City Council, Khan said: “No more student accommodation around the city centre. We have got enough of it. Our ambition is to see more housing, more families and working class people moving in there, rather than students – so that is a commitment that we make.”

The “Green Heart” – a public green space was opened on the site last year, but the majority of the former shopping centre is still waiting to be redeveloped.

One prominent Nottingham developer, Sam Monk of Monk Estates, welcomed the news.