Derelict Victorian warehouse in Nottingham to be turned into 245-bed student block as plans approved

A derelict Victorian warehouse in Nottingham dating back as early as 1885 will be transformed into a 245-bed student block.

Nottingham City Council has approved Cassidy Group’s revised plans to build the eight-storey development on the site off London Road.

Planning permission was previously granted on the land in 2019 for thedevelopment of 150 residential apartments by the same developer, however these plans never materialised.

The derelict Victorian building on the northern part of the site was once used by the Walter Danks & Co company, a builders merchants and ironmongers.

Its façade will be retained and the building transformed from the inside to provide student rooms across a number of floors.

It was built between 1885 and 1900, according to plans.

On the southern end of the site stood the Norfolk Hotel, which has since been demolished.

The former hotel site was most recently used as a hand car wash called Car Jacuzzi.

‘Regeneration zone’

“The student accommodation use of the site will provide animation to the site frontage along London Road, which is currently run down and derelict,” documents from the developer say.

“This will improve public safety and deter anti-social behaviour through improved activity and passive surveillance.

“The construction of the 66-68 London Road development will create a new community and will offer a positive use and an enhanced environment within the regeneration zone.”

The new building, called Chainey Place, will neighbour the Saffron Court block on Crocus Street, which was also developed by applicant Cassidy Group.

Its name is a reference to the historic Chainey Pool which could be found on the site in the past.

It was one of two large pools in the area, the other being Chainey Flash, that were crossed by wooden bridges.

Traffic was allowed over the bridges after periods of intense flooding, and when at normal level the bridges were held up by large chains that crossed the river.

Red brick will be used, similar to Saffron Court and the historic Hicking Building, built in 1873.

Plans add: “This proposed development will bring this vacant, brownfield site back into use in a prominent location, within the Southside Regeneration Zone, on the approach to the city centre.

“The proposed development is in a highly sustainable location close to the universities.

“The proposed development would contribute to meeting demonstrable need for more student accommodation in Nottingham.”