Council expected to approve 310-bed student scheme

Birmingham City Council is set to green-light a 317-bed student accommodation scheme near Aston University.

Lavender Property Group is spearheading the demolition of a two-storey building on Cliveland Street and is planning to build a purpose-built student accommodation across the site fronting Cecil Street and Cliveland Street. 

The scheme would consist of 192 studios (1-bed space per unit) and 125-bed spaces in clusters of five, nine and 12 bedrooms.

Initially planned as a seven- to eight-storey structure, the design has been revised to include a six-storey frontage along Cecil Street and a five-storey rear section with two wings, one of which connects to the Cliveland Street block.

Courtyards and roof gardens will provide outdoor amenities and access for residents will be exclusively from Cecil Street.

Shared indoor facilities on the ground floor will include a communal space/games room, gym, laundry, entrance hall with reception and post room, and a bin store.

Externally, the development will feature courtyard gardens and bicycle parking, with 96 spaces for residents and 20 for visitors, located off Cecil Street.

A report for the council’s planning committee highlights a mixed picture of PBSA demand in Birmingham. While the city centre currently has an oversupply of 940 bedspaces based on existing demand, there is a projected shortfall of 507 bed spaces when future demand is considered.

While the city centre may face a growing surplus if all current projects are approved and completed, areas outside the centre still face significant shortfalls.

The final decision for the scheme will be made at the Birmingham City planning meeting on Thursday, 28th November.