Cityheart submits student accommodation application

Cityheart have submitted a detailed planning application to Gloucester City Council for a 295 bed student accommodation development together with supporting ancillary space and a car park development on the Barbican Way car park in Gloucester. The application will now be considered by the Local Authority, with a target date for a determination being in February 2017. Subject to a successful planning application and completion of contracts, Cityheart will then commence the construction of the development to ensure the facilities are open for the first intake of student residents in September 2018. Full details of the application can be found on the Council’s website under the planning reference 16/01525/FUL.

The University of Gloucestershire is working with Cityheart as their preferred Strategic Development Partner on proposals to provide an additional 295 student beds in Gloucester. This will support the University’s plans to relocate their Business School from the Cheltenham campus to the Oxstalls Campus. This move will transfer existing students and staff to the Gloucester campus, as well as accommodating the future increase in student numbers as the University expands the Business School.

The accommodation will be provided in a mix of townhouses, cluster flats and studio bedrooms across four blocks, together with ancillary supporting areas. The general public will have access through the site via a pedestrianised street that will link Barbican Way to Ladybellegate Street. A newly laid out car park with entrance from Barbican Way will provide a total of 93 additional spaces for general public use.

Stephen Marston, Vice Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire, said: “The University congratulates Cityheart on achieving this critical milestone of submitting their full planning application. The University has worked closely with Cityheart, and with partners in the City and County Councils, in developing the proposed scheme, which has been carefully designed to complement the historic environment.  This will be a fantastic place for students to live, right in the heart of our city.  And it will transform this long-derelict site into an asset for our community, with more students adding to the vibrancy of the city centre, and its economy, culture and nightlife.”

Hilton McCarthy, Cityheart’s Development Director said: “Cityheart are delighted to be working with the University to facilitate their expansion programme. The development at the Barbican Way site is a fantastic opportunity to bring a plot of land that has laid redundant for years back in to meaningful economic use. The development will assist the Council with their ambitions to revitalise the City Centre, whilst maintaining a car parking provision for visitors. Our design is consistent with the requirements of the County Council’s emerging Local Development Order, for the Quayside and Blackfriars area. We have spent a considerable amount of time and effort, liaising with the Local Authority, to ensure the detail of the layout and in particular the elevations of the new buildings, complement and respect the historical importance of the listed buildings and Blackfriars Priory, along Ladybellegate Street and indeed the surrounding locality.”

Gloucester MP Richard Graham said: “This application is a key moment. It brings the University of Gloucestershire into the heart of our city centre regeneration, with Business School students coming to live in Blackfriars and increasing the buzz around The Gates. Timing is tight, so I’m pleased both the University and the Council are working closely together on having accommodation ready for the new Business School opening.”

Raphaella Ward, President of the Students’ Union at the University of Gloucestershire said: “The expansion of the campus is great news for the University. It’s vital that students are given a good living environment and can enjoy student life to the fullest while completing their studies. Having seen the plans, the new building looks fantastic, and it’s great that will regenerate a dilapidated area of Gloucester if it’s approved.”​