Residents’ concerns were brushed aside as a 121-bed student housing complex got the green light next to Chester Fire Station, rising up to six storeys in height.
Manchester-based Property Alliance Group (PAG) gained consent to demolish the existing derelict bakery in Trafford Street, Newtown, then erect a two-block studio apartment scheme in its place, ready for an autumn 2016 opening.
The application had been called in for a committee decision by council leader Samantha Dixon, who represents the ward, but she was not present to address the meeting and nor was a stand-in.
Resident Alex Bayliss was concerned about loss of light and privacy from the complex which he described as ‘not in keeping’.
He was worried about the lack of car parking citing the Chester Civic Trust as saying student housing should be capable of conversion into normal residential. Otherwise it could one day become ‘bedsit/sink accommodation’ if student demand failed to materialise, which was his fear given the luxury scheme may be too expensive.
In the event of permission being granted, he requested a condition that the blocks could only be occupied by students or the over 55s otherwise there could be ‘unpredictable and undesirable social outcomes’.
Developer Duncan Melville said the scheme, known as Northgate Point, offered a ‘studio product’ within a quality design which would regenerate a derelict site benefiting the University of Chester as well as the city at large.
He said: “It’s a short walk to the university, the city centre, the train station as well as being highly accessible to local amenities such as the Northgate Leisure Centre.”
There would be specialist facility management ensuring student contracts were ‘strictly enforced’ with sanctions for anti-social behaviour, noise, parking and litter.
And the meeting heard students would be deterred from bringing cars to the area where parking was already at a premium with developers asked to contribute towards establishing a residents’ parking scheme which would be unavailable to students.
Cllr Diane Roberts said it was ‘unrealistic’ to expect no increase in vehicles in a neighbourhood where it was ‘obvious’ there were already parking issues.
Cllr Norman Wright, a member of the Cheshire Fire Authority, was worried about access being impeded for emergency vehicles for the nearby fire and ambulance stations.
But highways officials said this situation could arise at the moment with enforcement powers available to tackle illegal parking.
Cllr Val Armstrong, who moved approval, said: “I’m mindful of the advice of our officers that highways issues would not be sustainable as an objection.”
The application was approved by seven votes to four.
A statement made by Cllr Samantha Dixon following the meeting said: "I am very disappointed not have been able to attend the planning committee to make representations on behalf of local residents.
"I am attending the annual conference of the Local Government Association in Harrogate and had asked a colleague to make the attached comments on my behalf but unfortunately they were unable to attend. For this I apologise to local residents.
"I am equally disappointed that the committee saw fit to give consent to this scheme. I have already received complaints from residents and local stakeholders about the development and have contacted council officers to ensure that disturbance to my residents is kept to the absolute minimum. I will continue to work very hard to get the best deal for the people I represent."
■ A statement released afterwards about the the development, a joint venture between PAG and Primus Property Group, explained that Northgate Point was particularly aimed at post-graduate and overseas students who want 51 week letting periods and high quality accommodation.
The rooms are designed ‘to create a professional learning and study environment’, with self-contained kitchens, security, storage and high speed internet connections.
Mr Melville, director of Primus Property, said: “Our brand is to support student accommodation that has a high quality hotel feel. As such the scheme directly responds to the modern day requirement of students, who now have to invest heavily is their degree and want accommodation that provides them with the best possible learning environment.”
