Go-ahead tipped for 258-bed student accommodation plans

Plans for the construction of two student accommodation blocks containing a total of 258 rooms at the University of Sunderland’s City Campus have been recommended for the go-ahead.Developer Jaspia is seeking permission to demolish the former Forster Building on Chester Road and erect two five-storey buildings.The Forster Building, which was constructed in 1975, provided a mixture of general teaching and studio spaces before it was sold by the university in 2017.The proposals include a larger block comprising 148 student bedrooms, with the other providing 110 bedrooms, while each will contain a 2,700 sq ft ground floor retail unit. The buildings would contain communal areas, kitchens, cycle storage, servicing areas and passenger lifts for each level.Each student room would have an en-suite bathroom and all rooms would be serviced and managed by the establishment. The buildings would also provide leisure and entertainment facilities and a 24-hour concierge.A report for Sunderland City Council – whose planning and highways (East) committee meets on 4 September – recommends the plans be approved, subject to conditions.It said: “It is considered that the principle of the proposed development is acceptable given the location of the proposal within the University Campus and in a sustainable location close to the City Centre.”The accommodation would provide high quality student living accommodation which would represent an opportunity to be converted into alterative residential accommodation in the future should this be required.”