38-bedroom student accommodation at Former rear gardens to 77 Frederick Street, Loughborough

“The application has been called in to Plans Committee at the request of Ward Councillor Rhys Cory-Lowsley in May 2024 under the Council’s call-in procedure, for the following reasons: increase in traffic on Frederick Street; exacerbation of lack of parking on surrounding streets; loss of light/overshadowing of properties on Arthur Street; noise and disturbance to nearby residents. 2.”

“Queens Park Conservation Area. The Flood Map for Planning shows the site to be within Flood Zone 1 and to be at risk of surface water flooding (1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 annual likelihood). Description of the proposal 3.1 The proposal is for full planning permission for the erection of 38 bedrooms of student accommodation. The proposal is a major application as it is the equivalent of 15.8 dwellings (2.4 beds is equivalent to a dwelling).”

“The site is relatively flat and can currently be accessed from the lane to the south with boundaries defined by old wooden fencing to Frederick Street, old wooden fencing and temporary construction fencing and gate to the lane boundary, new close boarded fencing to the boundary with the garden of 16 Arthur Street and new close boarded fencing to the northern boundary (other than to 77 Frederick Street and 2 Arthur Street which is defined by a brick outbuilding and brick…”

“Relevant Planning History 6.1 There is the following relevant planning history for the site. P/79/2645/2 Outline - Erection of three bedroom house (Officer note – this was the land rear of 77 Frederick Street and 2 Arthur Street) Refused 13/12/1979 P/81/2962/2 Outline – site for residential development one bungalow Erection of (Officer note – this is the land to the rear of 10-14 Arthur Street) Refused 14/1/1982 P/87/2473/2 Outline – site for the erection of one bungalow…”

“RECOMMENDATION B: That subject to the completion of the S106 agreement in recommendation A above, and subject to the LLFA confirming that the revised Drainage Report (Rev B) is acceptable, grant conditionally subject to the imposition of the following draft conditions and reasons and that the Head of Planning and Growth, in consultation with the Chair of the Plans Committee for amendments to the conditions and reasons, be given delegated authority to determine the final…”

“Includers comments from a member of Haydon Road Residents Group • Community/social imbalance caused by student residents • This is a cluster of 7 HMOs. • There is an oversupply of student accommodation • Anti-Social Behaviour • Noise at night • Lack of parking • No suitable place to drop off belongings fpr students • Parking restrictions in the area are only 8am- 6pm Mon-Sat • Existing congestion in the area • Need affordable and family homes • Traffic queues in rush hours…”

“Inaccurate application details (visibility, parking, flooding) • Recent refusal of P/23/2184/2 for C4 due to high proportion of student accommodation (44.9%) and later approved for flats (P/24/0113/2) • No contribution to the student support scheme • Amenity impacts (overlooking and overshadowing) to Arthur Street • Density of population in this area is too high • The Management Plan cannot be enforced • Concern the development will exacerbate flooding from water run off •…”

“The Vice-Chair, Councillor Cory-Lowsley had called-in this application and did not take part in the discussion. The Committee voted for Councillor Seaton to be Vice-Chair for this item only.”

“RESOLVED that planning permission be refused due to the likely negative impact on social characteristics of this area of the town, which has a high population of Houses in Multiple Occupation and a further large student accommodation which has been permitted nearby. The proposal is considered contrary to emerging policy H8 of the Local Plan.”