Nottingham City Council has granted planning permission for a new student development at the junction of Traffic Street and Wilford Road.
The project, led by Jensco (Wilford Road) Limited, will see the construction of a part 7, part 12, and part 17-storey building dedicated to student accommodation, alongside associated access, open spaces, and communal facilities.
Project Overview
The site, historically used for industrial and commercial purposes since the 1880s and later occupied by Boots’ Sentinel House, has been vacant since 2008. The new development aims to revitalise the area, aligning with the city’s broader regeneration efforts within the Canal Quarter Regeneration Zone.
The latest approved scheme includes a total of 395 student bedrooms, comprising 239 cluster flat bedrooms and 156 studio flats. The building will feature a variety of amenities, including a gym, cinema, private dining spaces, a games area, meeting rooms, a cycle store, laundry, and waste storage facilities. Additionally, the development will provide significant communal and external spaces, including landscaped areas and roof terraces.
The project comes with substantial financial contributions under a Section 106 Planning Obligation, totaling over £1.5 million. This includes:
- £860,532 towards affordable housing.
- £520,471 for the enhancement of off-site public open spaces and public realm.
- £122,207 towards local employment and training initiatives.
A Student Management Scheme will also be implemented to manage car usage, mitigate noise, and ensure security and cleanliness.
Environmental and Design Considerations
The development is set to achieve a 4% improvement above Part L of the Building Regulations, with an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating for commercial spaces. Key sustainability features include the use of air source heat pumps for heating and hot water, and a surface water attenuation system designed to handle significant rainfall events.
Documents state that the building’s design has been planned to enhance the local urban landscape, respecting both historical and environmental contexts. While the site is not directly adjacent to any conservation areas, its prominent location near Nottingham Castle and other heritage sites necessitated careful consideration of visual and environmental impacts.
The development will not provide on-site parking spaces, encouraging sustainable transport options. Instead, 86 secure cycle parking spaces will be available. The council has imposed strict conditions to manage construction traffic and ensure minimal disruption to the local highway network and neighboring properties.
The decision marks a pivotal step in the ongoing transformation of the Traffic Street area, furthering Nottingham’s ambitions to create vibrant, sustainable urban spaces that cater to the city’s growing student population.
• Half of Nottingham city new builds are student accommodation
