Riverside student scheme approved

Plans for a major student accommodation scheme on the former Unigate Dairy site next to the River Tawe have been granted outline planning permission.Applicant Nigel Short has secured outline permission for the demolition of existing buildings on the site, located at the edge of Swansea city centre, to make way for five blocks of apartments with ancillary uses at ground floor.The proposal also includes the construction of a car parking/servicing area and associated engineering, drainage, related infrastructure and landscaping works at the Morfa Road location.A total of 706 bedrooms are included within the five apartment blocks which range from four to six storeys in height. The proposal was scaled down from its original incarnation.The application highlighted that there is a grow ing need for bespoke student accommodation in Swansea, with both Swansea University and University of Wales Trinity Saint David University undergoing a period of expansion within the city.According to a report scrutinised by Swansea councillors, the proposed development would represent a significant regeneration of a brownfield site within the Tawe Riverside Corridor and aims to make a contribution to the growing demand for purpose built student accommodation. The application has been approved subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement.