A residential route has instead been preferredThe coronavirus and "uncertainty around student number growth" have been cited among reasons for snubbing two bids for student accommodation in Coventry city centre.
The council is to approve the long lease of land at Parkside, Paradise Street, next week for 494 private residential apartments.
But a report ahead of the meeting revealed two separate bids for student accommodation on the land have been snubbed, partly due to Covid-19.
The prime city-centre spot is adjacent to Coventry University’s campus and attracted a ‘pure student housing led scheme’ and a ‘mix of student and private housing’, but both bids are recommended to be turned down despite generating more income to the council.
However the city's regeneration chief said plans for more residential, rather than student housing, had always been on the cards.
However, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration Cllr Jim O’Boyle said the virus was “not really” the main reason for opting against student accommodation as the council had already been keen to secure more residential homes prior to the outbreak.
“We have been keen on trying to find housing other than student accommodation,” he said.