University gets green light for student flats despite concerns

FEARS NEW FLATS WILL 'DOMINATE' NEARBY HOMES

- By JULIA BREENS

A five-block student halls scheme will “dominate” nearby houses, a councillor has said, as the buildings were given planning approval.

Loughborough University was given the green light by Charnwood Borough Council to build five blocks ranging in height from four to six storeys at the varsity's campus off Ashby Road in the town.

The development will be on the site of a car park and where a chemistry building was demolished.

But the proposals proved unpopular with some residents, with 45 complaints submitted and a vocal contingent of objectors at the committee's meeting when plans were discussed.

The new buildings will contain 552 self-catered flats and will be built around a plaza intended as an area for students to relax and socialise.

However, the committee's debate was dominated by the impact on the nearest residents, particularly people living in Holywell Drive and Spinney Hill Drive.

Ward councillor Margaret Smidovicz said the site was “at the highest point” of the university’s 523-acre campus.

“The proposed location could not have been put in a worse place for maximising the negative impact on the largest number of residents,’ she said.