A 394-bed student housing complex near Chester Railway Station got the unanimous backing of councillors despite residents’ concerns.
Watkin Jones was granted planning consent for accommodation on the former Chester City Transport bus depot site, with a design incorporating historic tram tracks.
The ‘Tramways’ scheme includes nine individual studios and 385 bedrooms located within ‘cluster flats’. Every room has en-suite facilities.
Resident Tony Swaine, of Rowland Heights tower block, Newtown, told Cheshire West and Chester Council planning committee: “I and hundreds more residents oppose the plans. Can I point out that we live in sheltered accommodation, sheltered because the residents are either elderly, sick or frail and so are vulnerable and wish to enjoy their retirement years in peace and quiet.”
Referencing the number of licensed venues in the area, he added: “The obvious conclusion is this would lead to noise and disruption.”
But committee member Cllr Amy Mercer-Bailey, who moved approval of the scheme, which was backed by planning officers, said: “Just because of the age of the people living in the application, I think that’s something that people seem to make general statements about. When building elderly people accommodation we don’t take into account waiting times at post offices, so why should we take into account what time people come back from the pub. It’s not a planning consideration.
“As far as I’m concerned this is an urban development in an urban area on a brownfield site. It’s sustainable and perfect for students.”
Aimed at students from both the University of Chester and the College of Law in Christleton, the complex would be managed by the company’s Fresh Student Living arm which already runs a 128-room site in Victoria Road, Chester.
