Scheme to build two new student halls in overhaul of campus

Two new student accommodation buildings could be developed on land at Leeds Metropolitan University’s City Campus if they are given the green light.

The buildings are expected to contain a total of 430 studios and a small retail unit as part of a regeneration project.

Downing, the developer behind Broadcasting Place, has revealed the latest phase of their ambitious plan to transform the north and western half of the university’s campus.

Construction is underway to create a 21-storey tower near the Inner Ring Road as part of the second phase of development after the first regeneration stage was completed this summer.

A formal planning application will be submitted later this year for the two new buildings which are included in the third phase of the master-plan for the site.

The news comes after it was revealed council chiefs are putting student accommodation under the microscope.

A pre-application report to Leeds City Council’s city plans panel said: “Despite the decline in the number of undergraduates for the 2012-2013 intake, analysis from UCAS suggests there was a 3.5 per cent increase in student applications in comparison to the same point last year.

“The figures suggest that the impact of fees may not be as great as thought and that the number of young people applying to university may increase gradually.

“At the same time the growth in supply of student accommodation is continuing in Leeds.

“Excluding Trinity in Horsforth planning permission is in place to construct developments providing an additional 3,325 new student bedspaces.”

The council’s housing and regeneration scrutiny board are currently examining trends in student accommodation across the city. They launched their inquiry after a report by housing consultants suggested the council would struggle to refuse planning permission for new student accommodation.

The specially-created working party will scrutinise issues underpinning the preparation of a new planning policy for student homes in the city.