Noise fears as neighbours object to student apartments scheme

Coda Studios Ltd, on behalf of Campbell Homes, has applied to build the seven-storey block, which would house 71 students, close to the newly-completed “Peninsular” development of 98 student apartments near Penistone Road.

Planning consent for a five-storey block of 24 apartments, on the same vacant patch of land in Cross Bedford Street, was granted in July 2007 but the development never went ahead and the site has since been sold on.

This latest application is set to be decided at a meeting of Sheffield Council’s west and north planning and highways committee today, and planning officers have advised councillors to give the scheme the go-ahead.

Four objections have so far been submitted to the council, on various grounds including the potential for parking problems and noise from student neighbours.

One resident said: “This development, if completed, will cause a list of problems such as street parking congestion, anti-social behaviour such as noise nuisance from parties and coming in at late hours, car horns blaring at late hours of the night, vandalism and rubbish strewn all over the street.”

Another opponent said: “I am concerned that the lack of parking provision will have a detrimental effect on the surrounding area.

“There are not currently enough parking spaces on the street and some of us do not have the option of paying for parking underneath our buildings.

“I am also concerned that Campbell Homes wishes to place 71 students next to accommodation which is primarily for young professionals and marketed as such. As an education professional, I do not want to hear the noise of student parties and returning student revellers in the small hours.”

The objector adds that the design of the proposed block is “ridiculous” as it would be a flat-roofed building in between two stone buildings with high, pitched roofs.

Another resident said: “My partner and I deliberately chose to live here because it was close enough to the city and far enough away from students.

“Parking is horrendous on this street already and to add 71 students with inadequate parking is ridiculous.

“We already have trouble with students from the Opal building. Myself and my partner have unusual working hours and we will not put up with the noise at night that will ultimately be inflicted.”

City planners, however, are backing the scheme on the condition that the developer gives almost £16,000 towards providing additional recreation space in the area.

They say that the flats would be marketed as a “car-free development” and would have only four off-street parking spaces, for disabled drivers.

The planners say: “The site is within a very sustainable location, close to Supertram and main bus routes along Penistone Road and Infirmary Road. There are also shops and services in close proximity to the site.”

Recommending the development for approval, they add that the scale and design of the block would be “compatible with that of neighbouring properties” and would be “of a similar height to the Peninsular scheme next door”.

The planning officers say: “The proposal would not give rise to any unacceptable levels of overlooking or overshadowing and would not result in an overprovision of student housing within the area.

“The site is adjacent to a busy strategic road and close to a well-established industrial area, so it is recommended that conditions also be attached requiring a noise survey and sound attenuation measures to be incorporated within the development.”