ACCOMMODATION for 200 more students could be built in Leamington.
Developers APT are looking to build on the corner of High Street and Lower Avenue – a stone’s throw from Station House which is already home to 400 students.
The purpose-built development would be across two linked blocks, with one close to the railway line and the second on the site of a decommissioned track opposite Bath Place.
The ground floor of each block would be used for retail or commercial use and no parking would be provided for students on the grounds of easy local transport links.
A spokesman for the Leamington Society said: “Purpose built student accommodation is intended to relieve pressure on the conversion of family homes to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
“It is estimated currently there are more than 6,000 Warwick University students living in Leamington, which has a population of 50,000 to 60,000. At vacation time, when the students leave town, the effect is noticeable.”
While no planning application has yet been submitted, if the proposals go ahead it would be the fourth purpose built student accommodation in south Leamington.
In 2012 Station House was built opposite the railway station and The Union on Althorpe Street is home to nearly 200 students.
And permission has also been granted on appeal to build accommodation for 200 students on the Mercia Metals yard on Wise Street, another stone’s throw from the latest proposed development.
The appeal was made to government’s planning inspector about the Wise Street plans, with a number of objectors arguing the development breached Warwick District Council’s policy on the level of HMOs within a 100 metre area.
The inspector agreed, saying instead of the ten per cent limit it was closer to 40. But he said overall the pros outweighed the cons and the flats would improve the area.
Warwick District Council is also currently deciding whether to grant permission for a second development on Althorpe Street which would house 300 students.
