Approval for student accommodation in Helix Quarter

Plans for a student accommodation block within Newcastle’s Helix innovation district have been rubber stamped.Downing students (Heber Street) Limited Partnership Incorporated has secured permission to construct an eight to 12 storey building on land on the south side of Heber Street.The block will comprise 411 rooms in total, including 293 studio rooms and 20 four and five bed cluster apartments.The proposed 0.59-acre vacant site is located within the 24-acre Helix development, which focuses on data science, urban science and life science, and aims to “transform the quality of life for families, communities and cities around the world”.A similar planning application was considered, and later granted, in October 2021, and although the new scheme looks to accommodate alternative unit types, with an amended building design and layout, most of the “fundamental principles” from the consented scheme remain the same, the applicant has said.A report, which went before Newcastle Planning Committee on Friday (9 June) said that the design would “reflect the size and contemporary design forms of adjacent sites”, noting that it would add to the “vibrancy and activity of the area, providing associated benefits to footfall and local commercial uses”.”The development would have sustainability measures to reduce its impacts upon the environment, including being designed to allow for connection to the Helix district energy supply, biodiversity and landscape enhancement measures and enhanced building fabric energy efficiency”, the report said.Taking everything into account, members unanimously backed the application.