NEARLY 300 new students could be welcomed to a £30million regeneration of an area of Leamington’s canalside.
A planning application has been submitted by a number of business owners in the Althorpe Street area who teamed up to create Althorpe Street Developments after expressing concern about the future in the south town area.
If given the green light the work will see student accommodation for some 270 people and employment space which is expected to welcome a number of new businesses to the area and create up to 50 new jobs.
It would be based opposite Rangemaster, between the railway bridge and the footbridge which cross the canal, and would be situated just up from The Union student accommodation which has 187 bedrooms and was built around two years ago.
The business owners – who have worked on plans alongside Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council – say the Althorpe Street area is underused and has suffered from lack of investment. They also say the area has also started attracting crime and drug users and hope the work will ‘kick start’ regeneration’ in the south of the town.
The application was developed by Leamington company Rickett Architects following a public consultation which was attended by thousands of residents.
Spokesman Charles Robinson said: “The public consultation gave us the opportunity to really gauge the concerns of local residents. Their ideas and input have provided a valuable insight as to the needs of the community which we have endeavoured to address with this final planning application.
“We want to build a vibrant community to bring positivity and creative minds to Leamington.”
The developers say the scheme would create a ‘canalside culture’ for residents and support surrounding universities. They also claim existing jobs would be protected and regular events could be held there.
Student accommodation would also be staffed at all times and be available for national and international students.
A spokesman for the developers said: “Being more ‘welcoming’ to students is an approach which helps to retain graduates in the area with an end benefit of supporting the towns appeal for employers.”
