Consent given for 300-bed student accommodation scheme
Revised plans for student accommodation including more than 300 bedrooms have been approved by York city councillors at a planning meeting today – 5 May.
The council’s planning committee considered the latest proposals for the Alton Cars York Ltd site, at 3 James Street.
They also decided the development would not provide a good enough level of amenity for its residents, due to inadequate amount of floorspace.
The revised plans from S Harrison Developments are for up to 303 bedrooms, including 231 study bedrooms – in clusters of up to eight with shared living/dining areas – and 72 individual studio rooms.
These would be accommodated in a building ranging from three to five storeys. There would also be communal areas on the ground floor and landscaped areas, including a public pocket park on the south-east corner of the site.
Outlining why the amended plans deserved to be approved, a report accompanying the latest application says it has introduced new public open space to the scheme, while a strip of land along James Street is offered to become adopted highway. This will enable a 3.5m wide shared path for pedestrians and cyclists.
Also, the number of proposed student rooms has been cut from 319 to 303, with the amendments reducing the footprint of the building.
Council planning officers recommended the plans should be approved, with the planning committee overwhelmingly voting in favour of the recommendation following a presentation on behalf of the applicant.
Councillor Stephen Fenton said: “I think the changes that have been made to the scheme represent an improvement to what we considered at our last meeting.
“I struggle to see any valid planning grounds on which we could refuse the application so I’m happy to move approval.”
Cllr Janet Looker said she would vote in favour, but stressed this was “with huge regret”, that another city centre site would no longer be available for residential homes, rather than student accommodation.
Gavin Douglas, from S Harrison, said: “It’s a positive outcome that will help address the huge demand for student accommodation in the city, of which there is a chronic shortage. We look forward to delivering the scheme soon.
“Our design will also deliver much-needed public open space in this area of the city, with more than 200 sq m of green space.
“The pocket park will be a great addition to this part of York and will be a usable outside space for all. The south facing park will benefit from natural sunlight and will be an attractive visual addition to the streetscape on Lawrence Street – a primary route into the city.
“Schemes like this not only regenerate and deliver a viable new future for a redundant site, but they bring added value to the local community by investing in the local infrastructure. Students provide a massive boost to the economy of this city, supporting jobs and creating a vibrant community.”
