MORE students flats are set to be built alongside the canal in Leamington Old Town.
The application – which is a revision of proposals put forward last year – proposes a four-storey building on a scrap metal yard in Wise Street, to offer accommodation for some 200 students.
The office buildings on the Mercia Metals yard would be demolished along with those on neighbouring Simlick Floors, and replaced by the development consisting of flats with up to eight bedrooms each.
The new proposals include 33 parking spaces and another two-storey building to provide residents with a shared community space.
Thousands of students attending the University of Warwick live in Leamington during term time and a considerable number of these are in the Old Town area.
In 2012 Station House was built opposite the railway station providing purpose-built accommodation for some 400 students, and The Union on Althorpe Street is home to nearly 200 students.
A number of objectors commented the development would breach Warwick District Council’s policy on the level of HMOs (Housing in Multiple Occupancy) within an area.
Other concerns raised included fly tipping, increased traffic, parking issues and noise.
A nearby resident said granting permission would offer nothing more than ‘further misery’.
She added: “The proposal would further increase the excessive concentration and exacerbate the current imbalance in the local population.
“It would add to many of the adverse social and other effects that flow from that imbalance, including effects on the physical health and well-being of members of the community regularly affected by noise, disturbance and antisocial behaviour.”
But a number of residents backed the proposals which they say would result in the redevelopment of the scrapyard.
A supporter said: “The scrapyard has held back investment and encouraged anti-social behaviour.
“Those living in Wise Street and Wise Terrace have suffered for years. It is worth noting those objecting to this application do not have skips going up and down their front door all day.”
Other reasons cited in favour of the project were regeneration to the area and a free-up of residential homes elsewhere.
Councillors are set to give the green-light to the plans when they meet on on Tuesday (January 9).
