Go-ahead sought for student flats (From York Press)
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Go-ahead sought for student flats at Reg Vardy garage site on Lawrence Street, York
9:01am Friday 16th November 2012 in News
PLANS for 244 student flats at a former York car showroom could be given the go-ahead next week.
The scheme at the Reg Vardy garage site on Lawrence Street, which has become home to squatters, involves existing buildings being demolished and replaced by three accommodation blocks. Two years ago a proposal for 282 flats at the site was turned down.
City of York Council’s planning committee will debate the new application, by Richard Lockey of Black Lion Ltd, when it meets next Thursday and planning officials have recommended it for approval. However, 47 letters of objection have been sent to the authority, although the plans have been backed by York University Students’ Union.
Residents and businesses in the area around the site made a series of complaints about vandalism after squatters occupied the land.
It was also the scene of an attack in March which left 45-year-old Stephen Eastwood in a coma with serious head injuries.
A report on the proposals by planning official Diane Cragg said the scheme would include 13 parking spaces and 140 cycle-parking spots for students living there, with the blocks being between three and five storeys high. It said the previous application for the site was rejected because its design affected residents in nearby Barbican Mews and the setting of the nearby St Lawrence’s Church.
The objections are against the height of the development, noise and anti social behaviour, the potential negative impact on the area and loss of privacy for people living nearby.
The students’ union has said the flats will reduce the need for family housing to be turned into houses in multiple occupation, but they should have 24-hour security staff and rooms for students with families.
The planning report said: “The police architectural liaison officer said the behaviour of homeless persons and squatters on the current site has placed a huge demand on police resources.
“Development of this land will help to improve the environment and eradicate some of the crime and disorder problems. The scheme will provide much-needed accommodation to meet both existing and future student housing requirements.”
Comments(15)
amike
says...
9:14am Fri 16 Nov 12
So someone allowed the University(s) without them having enough accomodation built into the scheme.
Pedro
says...
9:51am Fri 16 Nov 12
amike wrote:York has never had enough bedrooms for students. The first year they are accommodated on site, any subsequent years they have to find their own place.
'The students’ union has said the flats will reduce the need for family housing to be turned into houses in multiple occupation'
So someone allowed the University(s) without them having enough accomodation built into the scheme.
Sawday2
says...
9:56am Fri 16 Nov 12
Pedro wrote:Just like just about every other university in the country then. It's called learning to be independent.
amike wrote:York has never had enough bedrooms for students. The first year they are accommodated on site, any subsequent years they have to find their own place.
'The students’ union has said the flats will reduce the need for family housing to be turned into houses in multiple occupation'
So someone allowed the University(s) without them having enough accomodation built into the scheme.
sheps lad
says...
9:57am Fri 16 Nov 12
BigJon
says...
11:19am Fri 16 Nov 12
g with architecture? Is that the same as banging your head against a brick wall? :-)
Old_Man
says...
11:20am Fri 16 Nov 12
meme
says...
12:14pm Fri 16 Nov 12
yorkborn66
says...
12:45pm Fri 16 Nov 12
Students bring money into York’s economy, fact.
As the Students union acknowledge, this could help family homes stop been turned into multiple occupation houses.
cynic3
says...
1:09pm Fri 16 Nov 12
I admire the confidence of the students' union that students with families would wish to be housed on a site with loads of undergraduates.
cynic3
says...
1:11pm Fri 16 Nov 12
meme wrote:Just maybe the first application was over development? Watch permission being granted and then a new application coming in that adds more rooms. Voila -you get the monstrosity that is on Hull Road.
Of course they will get planning prmission..But what have the delays cost in time, money, resources etc for the developer. Yet another dead ringer of a schem scheme needlessly delayed and probably now unviable because of yorks ridiculous planning department and councillors
Dave Taylor
says...
1:41pm Fri 16 Nov 12
Oh, and "amike"... yes, the lack of sufficient student housing promised by the University of York when it got planning permission for 'Heslington East' was raised at the Public Inquiry, but nothing was enforced. This is the main reason for houses being converted to 'houses of multiple occupancy' for students and these larger purpose-built blocks.
xtc
says...
2:27pm Fri 16 Nov 12
the andrew
says...
3:44pm Fri 16 Nov 12
Pedro wrote:Students can and do spend their final year on campus.
amike wrote:York has never had enough bedrooms for students. The first year they are accommodated on site, any subsequent years they have to find their own place.
'The students’ union has said the flats will reduce the need for family housing to be turned into houses in multiple occupation'
So someone allowed the University(s) without them having enough accomodation built into the scheme.
eeoodares
says...
8:04pm Fri 16 Nov 12
xtc wrote:There are no buildings on the site you are planning on building on in Field Lane. The Reg Vardy site is a disgrace and the students bring a great deal of money into this City. Get it built, it is needed, it is an ideal location and it would be detrimental not to build it.
Bloody uni again getting what they want!what about housing for residents and the uni building on the unused area s they have on field lane?should change the city name to uni town and stop conversions to student housing.
Just make sure that parking is sorted first!
Sawday2 says...
9:04am Fri 16 Nov 12