Student flats bid for empty site set for green light

Plans to convert a former education centre in Leicester into student flats are being recommended for approval.

Applicant Charles Simmons has submitted a proposal to convert vacant buildings at 94-98 Regent Road into 98 student bedrooms across 16 shared flats.

The application has been called in after concerns were raised about living conditions and outdoor space.

Planning officers at Leicester City Council said the proposal meets policy requirements and would provide much-needed student housing. Councillors on the planning committee will make a final decision on Wednesday.

The plan includes 16 cluster flats - between five and seven bedrooms each - with communal areas, landscaping and cycle storage.

The decision has been called in for review after city councillor Patrick Kitterick made objections.

He said the development in its current form would "represent an unacceptable living environment" for future occupants of the property as all the cluster flats are "universally below the National Designated Space Standards".

He also added there was a "poor provision of open space".

But planning officers said the flats exceeded local guidance for shared housing, adding that national space standards for ordinary flats did not apply to student housing.

The council is also seeking more than £99,000 in developer contributions through a Section 106 agreement, including £39,200 for NHS services and £60,597 for improvements to nearby green spaces.

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