Major student flat schemes will '˜bring new balance' to Sheffield

This week was no exception, with members of the planning and highways committee granting permission for two major schemes, in Ecclesall Road and Hollis Croft.

Between the two developments, there will be space to house more than 1,000 students - with an extra 144 private residential apartments on the Ecclesall Road site.

With further plans in the system, many developers clearly see a market for student accommodation.

And although councillors raised some issues about scale and demand at Tuesday’s planning meeting, they approved both schemes.

Coun Peter Price acknowledged comments from residents who raised concerns about an influx of students into their communities - and a possible surplus of student rooms.

But he said the council had changed the emphasis of its policy on student accommodation to encourage purpose-built, city centre schemes, and move away from shared family homes in residential areas.

“This will relieve the pressure on Broomill, Crookes and Walkley, and those family areas that over the past 10 years that have seen the balance shift towards students,” he said.

Both schemes approved on Tuesday will be hard to miss once built. Hollis Croft features an 18-storey tower, while the Ecclesall Road scheme’s tallest block has 11 storeys - a compromise after the council rejected a previous plan for 12.

Brookfield Student Real Estate, developing the Hollis Croft site, will spend up to £60 million on the complex, which will also include commercial space and new pedestrian links - something councillors were keen to see introduced to the area.

Delia Harmston, associate at the scheme’s architect HLM, said: “We are delighted that planning permission has been granted for this exciting project which is set to become one of Sheffield’s landmark developments.

“As an international practice with a strong Sheffield base, alongside BSRE who have been investing in Sheffield since 2013, we are privileged to be contributing to the on-going regeneration of our city and to the vibrancy of this new city quarter.

“The purpose-designed scheme will set the standard for student accommodation and will provide much-needed housing for students along with employment opportunities and improved public spaces.”

Dan Simpson, of Ecclesall Road flats developer Hallminster Ltd, said he was ‘delighted’ the council had approved the revised, smaller scheme.

“We are now looking forward to delivering a standout scheme that Sheffield can be proud of, which will regenerate the site and a wider area,” he said.

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