Fears new student block 'will cost local communities big time'

A COUNCILLOR fears that a new student block will “cost local communities big time” after the scheme was approved despite the developer's inability to provide any cash towards lessening the impact on local services.

- By JOE LOCKER & KIRSTIE McCRUM

A warehouse in Rick Street, behind the Victoria Centre, will be demolished to make way for a 247-bed student apartment building.

The scheme was approved at a city council planning committee meeting on Wednesday, disappointing councillors over the lack of a developer’s financial contribution.

In what is called a section 106 contribution, councils typically grant permission to developers on the proviso they contribute financially to housing, education, employment and infrastructure schemes to reduce the impact of schemes.

The Rick Street plan would have been expected to provide £947,847 towards improvements in the area - but an independent assessor concluded it would not be financially viable for the developer to pay.