Barberry Developments and Coventry University have unveiled plans for one of the biggest city centre student housing schemes in the Midlands.
The duo submitted a detailed planning application last week for the 1,116-bedroom scheme, built across five tower blocks rising up to 17-storeys, at the former Royal Mail sorting office at Bishops Gate in Coventry.
The £73m scheme is designed by architect Stride Treglown.
Barberry and the council initially announced plans for an 850-bed development. However, Barberry director Henry Bellfield said the growth of the scheme from the initial 850 units reflects the rise of Coventry University’s reputation and popularity with students.
Bellfield said: “Our team has been working closely with planners on the finer details following the public consultation. We hope the application for detailed planning consent will be successfully determined before Easter and we can begin construction later this year. Our target is to hand over the first rooms for the September 2018 intake of students.”
The site is already the subject of a 2011 consent envisaging a 400,000 sq ft retail-led scheme. It failed to materialise because of a disinclination to commit to the 125,000 sq ft supermarket that anchored it.
Barberry Developments acquired the former sorting office in 2011 and forward sold it to Coventry University in July 2015 to bring forward the student accommodation scheme. The firm has been retained to develop it.
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