Plans Submitted for Student Housing

Godwin Developments has submitted proposals for a 692-unit purpose-built student accommodation scheme (PBSA) in Nottingham city centre, at the site of the former Royal Mail sorting office.

The plans were lodged with Nottingham City Council in April and propose the demolition of the current disused and significantly degraded building which has lain vacant for almost 20 years. In its place would be a new contemporary scheme, varying from 12 to 15 storeys in height.

The new development, named the Bendigo Building, will consist of a mix of modern apartments, four, five and six-bedroom clusters as well as disabled studio rooms. The scheme will also incorporate a range of indoor amenities such as a spacious residents lounge and receptions area, along with a gym, study and games rooms. It will also feature a fully landscaped courtyard garden with outdoor seating, recreational and outdoor exercise equipment, basement parking for 55 vehicles and 312 cycle storage spaces. There will also be two commercial units located on the ground floor which have been proposed as an additional amenity for residents and the neighbouring community.

Matt Chandler, Development Director at Godwin Developments, said: “We are delighted to have reached this important milestone in our proposals for the re-development of this significant site in Nottingham. The city is a key UK hub for higher education, with an ever-growing student population. As a business with a local presence, we recognise the substantial contribution that young people make to its potential. They bring energy and vibrancy to the area, draw in private investment, boost local businesses through discretional spend, support the day and night-time economy, and add to the ongoing city-wide regeneration initiatives.

“With the number of full-time students expected to increase by approximately 28% in the next few years, there is a clear requirement for more dedicated student spaces where young people can live, study, and play together. The Bendigo Building will cater to these needs while also freeing up traditional housing stock, allowing homes to return to their intended family use – responding to the aspirations of many local residents.

“We would like to thank Nottingham City Council’s planning team for their support and feedback with the scheme to date as well as the local community for engaging with us constructively during the public consultation stages. We’ve also worked closely with our partners – architects RG&P, engineers HSP Consulting and planning experts PD&G – who helped us to shape the proposals submitted last week.”

The development is conveniently positioned within easy walking distance of Nottingham city centre, Nottingham Trent University, Sneiton Market and the main food and entertainment quarter, with the University of Nottingham and Nottingham train station both accessible via public transport.

The well-considered scheme also contains sustainability features, such as air source heat pumps, photovoltaic (PV) roof panels and electric vehicle charging points. It endorses green methods of travel in and around the city by encouraging cycling, walking and use of nearby public transport – all of which promote the health and well-being of students and cleaner air in central Nottingham.

James Mulcare, Head of Residential Capital Markets at Godwin Developments, said: “Nottingham is one of the UK’s higher education hotspots with its leading universities attracting a growing number of students year-on-year. In the last few years, the full-time student population in the city has surpassed 63,000 and is growing faster than any other UK university destination. At the same time, independent evidence indicates that there are at least 25,000 young people who are unable to access PBSA − highlighting the robust demand for student living in the city and the clear requirement for dedicated schemes like the Bendigo Building.”

Stephen Pratt, Co-founder and Board Director at Godwin Developments, added: “More and more domestic and international students come to the city of Nottingham, seeking outstanding education and good quality accessible student living. We are confident that the Bendigo Building with its prominent location and high amenities provision will be popular with young people and will deliver attractive long-term returns to investors seeking to capitalise on the strong local PBSA market.”

Once underway the Bendigo Building will create around 300 jobs during the construction phase – and 40 full-time positions when fully operational.

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