Nottingham City Council has recommended planning permission be granted for the next phase of the transformative Island Quarter project.
The proposals will be decided at the next planning committee meeting on 18 December 2024.
The Island Quarter landmark development that will reshape the city’s skyline and increase its student accommodation capacity.
The new phase, known as Phase 2B, focuses on the construction of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). The approved plans outline a ‘V’-shaped structure, which will rise between seven and eleven storeys. It will accommodate 394 students in a combination of cluster flats and studio apartments. This phase builds on the already completed Phase 2A, which introduced 693 student beds to the area in 2021.
The site is strategically located in the southeast corner of the Island Quarter, bordered by Manvers Street and City Link. As an element of Nottingham’s ambitious mixed-use redevelopment, the project is described as aligning with the city’s strategic goals of promoting urban living and sustainable growth.
The Island Quarter, historically an industrial hub, has long been identified as a key area for Nottingham’s regeneration efforts. In June 2020, the council approved a sweeping outline plan for the site’s redevelopment, which included residential, commercial, leisure, and student housing components. The overarching vision is to create a vibrant, interconnected community with modern amenities, public spaces, and enhanced transport links.
The developers, Conygar Nottingham Ltd, have incorporated feedback from stakeholders to refine the building’s design. Aesthetic considerations, such as improved landscaping and an architectural style that complements the surrounding area, were pivotal in securing approval from city planners.
While the development has been largely welcomed as a positive step for Nottingham, it has also faced scrutiny. Objections raised by local residents and the Nottingham Civic Society highlighted concerns over building height, the potential for overbearing structures, and limited public greenery along Manvers Street. To address these, the council mandated additional landscaping and strict adherence to urban design guidelines.
The project also aims to meet Nottingham’s carbon-neutral ambitions. Key sustainability features include air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and a commitment to biodiversity. The development’s biodiversity net gain metric demonstrates a remarkable 473.57% increase in habitat units, exceeding statutory requirements.
The S106 financial contributions tied to the project reflect its scale and impact on local infrastructure. These include £856,186 for affordable housing, £517,842 for public open space enhancements, and £124,514 to support local employment and training initiatives. A robust student management plan, focusing on noise mitigation, waste management, and car-free policies, will also be implemented.
The development is expected to ease pressures on traditional housing and support the city’s growing student population, with proximity to Nottingham Trent University and public transport connections to the University of Nottingham’s campuses.
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