New Coventry student flats in residential area approved

[dutchman]

Each of the flats will have a double bed and en-suite bathroom



Plans for a new student accommodation block in a residential area of Coventry have been approved by the council.

A total of 14 new studio flats are set to be built on a vacant patch of land on Berry Street, Hillfields, after a planning application was approved on January 13.

Each of the flats will have a double bed, kitchenette and en-suite bathroom.

The accommodation will be gated and have three car parking spaces plus cycle storage.

The developer has also agreed to pay £24,354 to the NHS for improvements to local healthcare facilities

A near-identical application for a block with 13 studios on the land was approved in 2019.

The new application proposed to add an extra studio to the original design, and a condition of its approval is that building work must start within three years.

Planning documents show there was concern from West Midlands Police about the location of the block, given the area's high crime rate.

The officer's report by Case Officer Richard Edgington states: "It should also be noted that West Midlands Police have re-iterated the concerns of the proposal, as per the comments made on the original application.

"Their concern primarily relates to the crime rate within the area. However, it is considered that this in isolation does not warrant refusal of the application.

"As such, given that the development is gated, with suitable boundary treatments and lighting, it is considered that the fear and risk of crime can be adequately managed through such measures."

Plans for the flats received just one objection from a neighbour or third party.

The report summarised the objection as: "Increase in anti-social behaviour," and "Incompatible land use in proximity to retirement accommodation."

The new block would be built on 59 to 69 Berry Street, opposite the retirement home Vernon Close.

The location is also close to a bus stop and Primrose Hill park, and a 15-minute walk away from Coventry University.

[dutchman]

I like the retro styling.

You wouldn't know they were flats if you weren't told and they blend-in with the surviving houses.