Luxury student flats plan for Lomax Nightclub site in Stoke is recommended for approval
MORE than 100 students look set to descend on a town after plans to turn a former cinema and nightclub into 'luxury' accommodation were recommended for approval.
Developers want to overhaul the site of the former Lomax Nightclub and old Danilo Cinema in Hill Street, Stoke, and replace it with a five-storey 120-bedroom complex.
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FLATS PLAN: The land in Hill Street, Stoke.
Planners at Stoke-on-Trent City Council have recommended the venture – which will also see the creation of a food and shopping area – for approval.
AJP Worldwide and PrimeSite Developments wants to provide a 'step-up' in student accommodation by offering en suite rooms, communal kitchen and living areas with flat-screen TVs and a gym.
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However the plans have been met with some objection by concerned residents and business owners who claim the scheme could lead to parking problems in the area along with potential noise and anti-social behaviour.
Steve Faram, who runs Steve Faram Handmade Furniture in Hill Street is concerned by the plan. He said: "The proposal may well bring benefits to Stoke in terms of increased trade and the ability of the university to attract students with the offer of luxury accommodation.
"Of less concern, it seems, is the importance of bringing residents on board by acknowledging that a not insignificant number of people will be affected by this development."
The site has been targeted by developers because of its location – just over half-a-mile from Staffordshire University and four-and-a-half miles from Keele University.
But first-year students living on the University of Stafford's Leek Road campus say that they would rather be living within the university grounds.
Aimee Farmer, aged 18, who studies social work, said: "It's better to be on campus as it's easier when you're going out." Hannah Strong, aged 18, a sports therapy student, said: "When I came to look for halls I wanted somewhere close to the faculty you are studying at."
English literature student Kelly Dawes, aged 20, said: "In the first year you're getting used to the area so I prefer being on campus."
Sianie Johnson, aged 20, a psychology and counselling student, added: "When they're building new halls I think they should make sure all the walls and flooring is thicker as sometimes it's noisy here."
Councillors will consider the proposals during a meeting of the Development Management Committee on Tuesday.
Comments
by PostBoxesUK
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 5:39PM
“Local residents don't like the idea of student accommodation eh? OK, why not build a nightclub.”
by LordOxford
Friday, October 12 2012, 5:46PM
“So residents/businesses in the area are concerned that"the scheme could lead to parking problems in the area along with potential noise and anti-social behaviour"
I would have the thought the only thing they need to be concerned about is Stoke becoming a ghost town and empty building plots leaving an ugly scar on the Town”
by Redpitlad
Friday, October 12 2012, 5:22PM
“Great news for stoke..the site has been empty for some years now..
the town centre will benefit from people moving in ..and that can't be a bad thing and as residents...... its accommodation not a live rock venue..
and before any one says any think...I lived closed to a university campus for years with out a problem.”
by Goach
Friday, October 12 2012, 5:15PM
“By my experience students and luxury don't belong in the same sentence they tend to live like pigs and every end of term time student accomodation has to be cleaned out and deloused.”
by rubythursday
Friday, October 12 2012, 1:47PM
“dibden court, one of three high rise blocks of flats in stoke, was student accommodation for 17 years up until 1995/6. it is about 100yards from the lomax site.
dibden court came back into general use because students preferred to be on or closer to the university campus.
this sounds a bit like groundhog day......though I do think that stoke needs to attract students into town...somehow.”
by wildsville
Friday, October 12 2012, 10:09AM
“Build em cheap, stack em high and dont care about the residents! How often do we hear this...Too often.”