Hotel living for city's students
Sky TV, broadband internet access, an en-suite bathroom and plenty of space - it's not a hotel but student accommodation for the 21st century in the Black Country.Sky TV, broadband internet access, an en-suite bathroom and plenty of space - it's not a hotel but student accommodation for the 21st century in the Black Country. The old image of grimy, rundown digs will soon be no more after inspirational plans for a brand new £25 million 900-bed complex were given the go-ahead by Wolverhampton planners. Council chiefs say the flats will revolutionise student living in the "flourishing university city" and branded much of the existing student housing as "deplorable". The accommodation will be built in four blocks on land bordered by Wednesfield Road, Culwell Street and Lockwell Street and take two years to complete. Around 500 jobs will be created during the construction period and 32 permanent jobs on site. Read more in the Express & Star
Sky TV, broadband internet access, an en-suite bathroom and plenty of space - it's not a hotel but student accommodation for the 21st century in the Black Country.
The old image of grimy, rundown digs will soon be no more after inspirational plans for a brand new £25 million 900-bed complex were given the go-ahead by Wolverhampton planners.
Council chiefs say the flats will revolutionise student living in the "flourishing university city" and branded much of the existing student housing as "deplorable".
The accommodation will be built in four blocks on land bordered by Wednesfield Road, Culwell Street and Lockwell Street and take two years to complete.
Around 500 jobs will be created during the construction period and 32 permanent jobs on site.Councillor John Rowley, Labour member for Blakenhall, speaking at the meeting yesterday, said: "Wolverhampton is a flourishing university city but a lot of the student housing we have is pretty deplorable to be honest and I think expectations have grown about what can be provided.
"I absolutely commend this project - we want to see more people in the city centre because having more people around helps deter crime," she added.
Councillor Keith Instone, Labour member for East Park ward, said: "I looked at this site and often thought 'what will be developed on that, I wonder', and so I think this is absolutely brilliant. There is no doubt about it - this is tremendous for the city and will set that area up a treat," he added.
Developer Victoria Hall already owns high-profile student developments in cities like Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester. The firm can start work once it satisfies council officers on a number of issues such as CCTV, car parking, and a public art strategy.
The blocks will be opposite the leisure, retail and homes complex on the site of the Low Level station and the new development at Springfield Brewery.
It has been several years since new accommodation has been built in Wolverhampton specifically for students living in the city.
by Tom Edwards
