Developers seek consent for more than 1,000 student rooms
APPLICATIONS for student accommodation continue to flow through Liverpool council’s planning department.
Next week’s meeting of the planning committee will consider a total of 1,130 student beds across three schemes.
All are recommended for approval despite one put forward by a company called Gipsy International attracting 53 complaints and a petition, with 168 signatures, arguing there is too much accommodation for students.
The applications include:
* System 3 Ltd’s proposal for 352 beds in a five-storey block at Chatham Place, Overbury Street and Queensland Street.
* An 11 and nine storey building with 317 beds between Norfolk Street and Brick Street in the Baltic Triangle by Pinnacle Student Developments.
* Gipsy International has applied to build 398 student rooms in a 12 and 14-storey building fronting onto Byrom Street, Fontenoy Street and Great Crosshall Street.
There is also a Baltic Triangle application for 156 “compact residential studios… not specifically targeted at the student market” in Simpson Street by Baltic Developments Ltd.
According to council figures, Liverpool has 20,500 purpose built student bedspaces. This figure includes university halls and private providers, but excludes shared houses.
A spokesman said: “We are aware of the concern about the number of student flats in parts of the city but we are also aware that developers say there is still demand for this type of development. We do not currently have specific policies on student accommodation developments and each application is judged on its merits in relation to its impact, design etc.
“Polices on this issue could be included in the Local Plan which is being developed. However, it could take two to three years before the plan is implemented.”
