New plans to transform Coventry student accommodation

It comes after a trend of applications last year



Another student accommodation in Coventry could change use. Plans for a 12 bedroom short-stay hostel just outside the city centre were lodged with the council last week.

It would open in the former Elastic Inn on 2-4 Lower Ford Street which is used as student housing. Documents with the scheme say the new hostel would have 12 ensuite bedrooms and shared facilities on each floor of the three-storey building.

People would stay there for a period of 'months' according to a statement. The applicant Abrol Ltd "considers that if the current building is suitable for student accommodation, it should also be suitable for occupation by other residents," it adds.

They also believe it is "unlikely" people staying at the building will keep a car there as it is close to public transports and the city centre. The document claims the impact on local roads of the use would "not be severe."

The bid to allow non-students to stay at the accommodation comes after a trend of other student housing applying to change use over the past two years. Last year there were five applications affecting hundreds of rooms in the city.

Managers of the blocks told of a lack of demand for the housing due to the impact of the pandemic, Brexit and too many student rooms in Coventry. The scheme for the building at Lower Ford Street did not say why the change was being applied for.

More details of the plans can be seen on Coventry council's planning portal via reference: PL/2025/0000100/FUL.