How new student flats are changing city skyline

2 days ago

Jeremy Ball

Social affairs correspondent, BBC East Midlands

Winfield Court in the Island Quarter has almost 700 student bedrooms

BBC/Caroline Lowbridge A drone shot shows the recently-completed blocks of Winfield Court — Winfield Court in the Island Quarter has almost 700 student bedrooms

Walk towards the centre of Nottingham and you will no doubt witness how new student accommodation is changing the city's skyline.

And the scale of that continuing development has been revealed after new data showed Nottingham City Council has approved 60 purpose-built student developments in the last decade.

The blocks approved represent a total of 9,000 bed spaces, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the BBC to the council, and aim to open up more traditional family homes to residents in Nottingham.

The growth of student blocks in the city centre has led to a divide, with claims it has led to a rise in rent for residents.

"Shared houses are a no-no, because the more people, the more mess they make," said Nottingham Trent masters student Himanshi Nikhare.

However, recent graduate Phoenix May thinks the city has too much new student accommodation.

"I liked being in a [shared] house because you didn't feel isolated," she said.

Himanshi Nikhare says shared student houses are a "no-no"

Himanshi is wearing a black top and glasses — Himanshi Nikhare says shared student houses are a "no-no"

Meanwhile, Bobby Richter, a postgraduate student at the University of Nottingham, says living in a purpose-built block in the city centre gives him more time to study.

"We have activities there so we don't need to go out, but I would rather be living by myself because it costs the same amount of money if I rent my own flat," he said.

According to the FOI request, three developments were approved in the 2015 calendar year, followed by four in 2016, five in 2017, six in 2018 and seven in 2019.

In 2020, a further five purpose-built developments were approved by the city council, with six following in 2021, eight in 2022 and seven in 2023.

The 2024 calendar year saw the most developments granted in the 10-year period, with nine given the green light.

'Balance not right'

Some individuals told the BBC the new student blocks are helping to bring life to the city centre and creating communities.

Though that view is not shared by all.

Resident Rick Hall said: "You've got a massive expansion of student accommodation.

"On the other hand you've got a crisis of homelessness - that would seem to indicate that the balance isn't right."

Alison Kelly, 50, who has been staying at the London Road hostel since becoming homeless, said: "What they're offering students is perfect for me, a little studio flat would be perfect.

"Why not make them for other people as well":[]}