Unite sees green light ahead for Paddington PBSA scheme

Unite Students is set to receive planning permission from Westminster City Council for a 605-bed student accommodation scheme in Paddington. The proposals include two buildings of 12 and 20 storeys and a re-provided Travis Perkins builder’s merchants. The site is sandwiched between the Paddington branch of the Grand Union Canal, Bishop’s Bridge Road, Harrow Road and the A40 Westway. The latest plans are Unite’s third version of the scheme, having first filed plans in 2021 for a 22-storey student block with 843 beds. They were subsequently updated, with the block’s height being reduced to 20 storeys and the number of bedrooms to 768. However, in early 2022 the council refused the amended plans. Planning officers warned that the scheme would have a “significant negative impact” on the amenity of adjacent residents. Unite’s latest plans have been recommended for approval and will be discussed in a planning meeting next week. Image © Make Architects