Go-ahead for 860-bed student housing plans

Plans for a development of four new buildings rising to 17 storeys and comprising more than 860 student bedrooms in Sheffield city centre have been given the green light.Plans for the Stokes Tiles Centre site were submitted last year by DPP on behalf of Litton Buccleuch, a joint venture between Bakewell-based Litton Property Group and Edinburgh-based Buccleuch Property.The site is located at the junctions of Moore Street, Fitzwilliam Street and Thomas Street off The Moor. It currently comprises vacant warehouses and offices formerly used by Stokes Tiles, as well as a tile showroom which is still in use.The proposal covers the demolition of the existing buildings on the site and construction of four new buildings. The tallest would measure up to 17 storeys in height, with three further blocks of ten, six and 12 storeys.Communal facilities including a coffee shop, social space, study space, gym, cinema, laundry and games area, dining space, party room, table tennis terrace, shared courtyard, outdoor sports area and roof terraces are proposed. A 1,600 sq ft retail unit would also be created fronting onto Fitzwilliam Street.In August 2017, Litton Buccleuch signed a deal with a student accommodation provider to operate the building once development has been completed.Planning consent was awarded at a meeting of Sheffield City Council’s Planning and Highways committee on 24 July, subject to conditions and the signing of a legal agreement.A decision had previously been deferred at a meeting on 3 July, due to members’ concerns over the proposed contribution of £650,000 towards off-site affordable housing. An improved provision of £865,000, as recommended by the council’s viability consultant, has now been agreed.A planning officer’s report prepared for the meeting said the development was a “major regeneration scheme which will deliver significant benefits for the city and represents sustainable development”.