Regional update – Sheffield and Nottingham to receive major schemes

A national property developer with a focus on residential, commercial and mixed-use schemes, in partnership with both the public and private sectors, has announced two new schemes in Sheffield and Nottingham – one a Build to Rent (BTR) development and the other a brand new student scheme.

First up, Godwin Developments’ 23-storey BTR scheme in Sheffield, lodged with planners earlier this year, has now received planning permission for the construction of 336 apartments on the edge of the city centre.

The scheme, named The Meridian and located in close proximity to Sheffield’s train station, transport routes and all major amenities, is set to feature one, two and three-bedroom modern open-plan apartments and 94 private balconies.

What’s more, the scheme will incorporate a large amount of flexible ground floor amenity space for a concierge reception, co-working spaces, residents’ only lounge and gym, as well as featuring a landscaped roof garden and plaza fronting onto Queens Road. Further to this, there will be 358 cycle storage and 29 car parking spaces.

Godwin says the scheme will contribute significantly not only to the housing requirements of the city, but also to the overall regeneration and investment programme under way in Sheffield.

James Mulcare, head of residential capital markets at Godwin Developments, said: “We are delighted to have received planning consent from Sheffield City Council for this scheme. The development is a major milestone for the BTR market in the city, bringing forward a multifunctional living space that is also perfect for working, relaxing and socialising.”

He added: “The Meridian is a well-located scheme of exceptional design quality shaped around the requirements and lifestyles of city centre residents. It emphasises wellbeing, light, natural materials and finishes, as well as access to private and shared outdoor space and community-focused amenities.”

He continued: “As such we are confident it will be a popular choice among residents of various age groups – and an attractive proposition for investors.”

The scheme will transform a prominent 1.1-acre brownfield site, which has been unoccupied for many years. It is found just a five-minute walk from Sheffield’s Midland Station and a ten-minute walk from the city centre, which includes Sheffield’s main shopping and entertainment districts. Parks, outdoor spaces and both of the city’s universities are also nearby.

Godwin says the scheme is ‘very easily accessible’ by road and public transport, with proposed walking, cycling and tram routes expected to enhance ‘sustainable mobility to and from the development in the near future’.

Ketan Patel, senior development manager at Godwin Developments, commented: “We are grateful for the help and support provided to us by the Sheffield City Council planning team, which has led to the successful outcome of our planning application today.”

He added: “It has resulted in the creation of a landmark building that is simple and effective in design and adds positively to the city’s new skyline. When built, The Meridian will become a welcome focal point for residents and visitors to Sheffield, realising the Council’s ambitions for the city.

“We would like to thank the members of the planning committee, the statutory consultees that have worked alongside us in the last few months, as well as planning experts Urbana Town Planning, architects Bond Bryan, consultants Rider Levett Bucknall and engineers HSP Consulting.”

New PBSA scheme in Notts

Earlier this week (Wednesday August 18), plans for the transformation of the former Royal Mail sorting office in Nottingham into a 692-bed student living development also took a major leap forward after members of the Nottingham City Council planning committee resolved to grant planning permission for Godwin Development’s proposals for the Bendigo Building.

The decision - which was made subject to clarification of further design details – means the currently disused property, which has been empty for almost two decades – will be demolished and replaced with purpose-build student accommodation (PBSA), which will aim to provide new high-quality, contemporary living spaces for students in the city.

The new scheme, located less than half a mile from Nottingham Trent University, will be made up of a mix of modern studio apartments, four, five and six-bedroom clusters and ‘accessible’ studio rooms.

In addition, the development will incorporate a range of indoor amenities, including two receptions, a spacious residents lounge, gym, study and games rooms, as well as a fully landscaped courtyard garden with outdoor seating, recreational and outdoor exercise equipment, and six car parking and 312 cycle storage spaces.

An additional amenity for residents and the neighbouring community will also be provided in the form of two commercial units, located on the ground floor of the scheme.

Matt Chandler, development director at Godwin Developments, said of the plans: “We are delighted to have received the resolution to grant planning approval from Nottingham City Council for our proposals, which will transform this eye-sore of a building into a thriving student hub.

He added: “With unmet demand of over 7,000 student beds in the city and the number of undergraduates rising as both universities continue their expansion plans, there is a clear requirement for more dedicated student spaces where young people can live, study, and socialise together.”

He said the plans would not only cater to this demand but also support the council’s ambitions to keep the city centre vibrant and students housed better, while also further protecting traditional family housing from being converted for student occupation.

“The Bendigo Building will also bring a substantial amount of investment, attracting £234 million of economic activity to Nottingham and the region in the form of construction, employment and discretional spend. Other community benefits will include a large contribution towards open spaces as well as employment and training, improvement of public realm and safety,” Chandler claimed.

“We would like to thank Nottingham City Council’s planning team for their support of the scheme, as well as our partners – architects RG+P, planning consultants P&DG and engineering business HSP Consulting - for their work to-date.”

The Bendigo Building is conveniently positioned within easy walking distance of Nottingham city centre, Sneinton Market, Nottingham Trent University and the main food and entertainment quarter, while the University of Nottingham and Nottingham train station are also readily accessible via public transport.

In line with current trends, the scheme has been designed with sustainability in mind and includes features, such as air source heat pumps, photovoltaic (PV) roof panels and an energy-efficient building fabric, to enhance its green credentials. What’s more, it aims to promote greener ways of travel in and around the city, supporting cleaner air and reducing traffic congestion in the area.

Once underway, the Bendigo Building is set to create approximately 300 jobs during the construction phase – and some 40 full-time positions when fully operational.

James Mulcare said: “In recent years, Nottingham has cemented itself into a major higher education destination. The city attracts nearly 80% of its full-time students from the UK, making it resilient to fluctuations in international student demand.”

He added: “As vaccination rates across the country continue to rise and young people seek to return to face-to-face learning and socialising, the need for purpose-built student accommodation will continue to grow – and with it a strong interest from investors across the globe.

“We are confident that the Bendigo Building with its prominent location and high amenities provision will be popular with young people and will deliver attractive long-term returns to investors seeking to capitalise on the strong local PBSA market.”