More student flats are on the way in Huddersfield.
Kirklees councillors have approved plans for a 10-storey block of 186 student studios at the Waterfront Quarter close to Kirklees College.
The building will occupy a derelict site between Manchester Road and Huddersfield Narrow Canal and between the college building and Earnshaws motorcycle showroom.
Developer Bradco is already building two blocks of student flats – together providing hundreds of apartments – on an adjacent site at the Waterfront Quarter.
Members of the council’s strategic planning committee heard that outline planning permission had previously been given for residential apartments on the application site.
A council officers’ report to the committee, which recommended approval of the scheme, said: “Although the development of residential apartments as originally consented would be lost if this development were to be built, it is considered that the provision of student accommodation would be appropriate in this location given the site’s proximity to the student accommodation currently under construction, the town centre, the college and university campuses and main public transport hubs.”
But it also said Bradco should contribute £233,000 towards improvements to parts of the site accessible to the public – such as seating, public art, lighting and security systems and improvements to footpaths and the canal towpath. A number of improvements have already been made in association with the college.
The plan calls for 168 self-contained student studio bedrooms with each unit to include a lounge/kitchen/bedroom area and a bathroom. There will also be an entrance lobby, reception, offices for the manager of the flats and a communal lounge, TV area and gym. Bin stores and cycle parking will be provided to the ground and lower ground floor.
The report said that the changes in levels between the application site and Manchester Road meant the 10-storey building would appear to be seven storeys in height when viewed from the road and would not be “over-dominant” for residents in houses on Bankfield Road, which runs parallel to Manchester Road.
It said the proposed student accommodation would be prominent when looking towards the town centre from Lockwood, but that the impact was acceptable when taken in context with other buildings on the site, including the college building, which is taller. The college has a maximum height of 37 metres compared with 32 metres for the proposed development.
The report said: “The design, appearance and scale of the proposed building is consistent with the other blocks currently under construction.” It added: “There are no adverse impacts that would outweigh the benefits of the scheme.”
