Salford student scheme approved on appeal

Bumblebee Developments has gained approval for a new £4m student property development on Salford’s Chapel St.

The Isle of Man-based developer gained consent for the 93-bed scheme with ground floor retail space on appeal. It was initially turned down in September 2011 on the grounds that there was no need for student accommodation in Salford. Since then, the Planning Inspector has ruled that there is a demonstrable need for purpose-built student accommodation.

Bumblebee Developments was advised by Indigo Planning, which said that the scheme respects the adjacent Grade II*-listed St Philips Church building, while proving to be a “high-quality addition” to Chapel St.

Director Doug Hann said: “This is one of the first regeneration projects to come forward on the Chapel Street corridor and will bring £4 million of private investment to the area as well as new jobs.

“This development, alongside the recent grant of compulsory purchase for large swathes of land along Chapel Street, will be an important piece in the regeneration jigsaw and help make the area a thriving part of Salford again.”

Bumblebee Developments was also advised by O’Connell East Architects, Lambert Smith Hampton, and Guest Garsden.