Two giant blocks of student flats will be built near Huddersfield town centre.

Councillors approved developer Bradco’s bid for 504 student flats on land off Manchester Road between the new Kirklees College building and Earnshaws.

The derelict site will see two 10-storey blocks built, although due to the level of the land it will appear as seven storeys when viewed from Manchester Road.

It will be 29m in height at its greatest - less than the 37m of neighbouring Kirklees College.

Clr Jean Calvert, Labour Ashbrow, raised concerns about the scale of the building and voted against the plan along with Golcar Lib Dem Clr Christine Iredale.

But 10 of their colleagues on the Huddersfield Planning Sub-Committee approved it, although it was clear they didn’t all like it.

Newsome’s Green member Clr Andrew Cooper said: “There is no planning reason that we can have to reject this application.

“However I feel I do have to reflect that hardly a day goes by without somebody commenting to me about the amount of student accommodation that has been developed.

“I regret the fact there is going to be residential accommodation that isn’t social housing, and it’s almost like there is a failure of the market that means need is really not being met.”

Clr Molly Walton, Crosland Moor and Netherton Labour, added: “The university is expanding, there is an accommodation need, it’s about a market economy.”

No student car parking provision is included, however there will be a car park for 26 vehicles at canal level contracted out for Kirklees College staff.

Students will be allowed to use the parking spaces, by prior arrangement, at the start and end of the academic year to unload and load.

The proposed development site is in flood risk zones 1 and 2 - the lowest level meaning risk is 1 per cent.

The Environment Agency withdrew their initial objection when a Flood Risk Assessment was submitted and found suitable, while the Canals and Rivers Trust objected on the grounds of materials and design, which were later amended, and they have not commented further.

Seven public objections were submitted relating to over-development, scale, poor design, impact on nearby listed buildings, highway and parking issues and increase in noise and disturbance.

The proposal is a step away from the masterplan for the Waterfront Quarter, which identified 309 apartments with more than 250 parking spaces in the area.

However, councillors approved it with conditions including a £700,000 contribution to public realm improvements, a travel plan monitoring fee and 27 other conditions.

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