Student accommodation and retail at Dominion House, Nottingham

What was proposed

The proposal was partial redevelopment for purpose-built student accommodation and retail units, retaining the Castle Boulevard façade and 49/51 Fishpond Drive.

“Application by: [name withheld] on behalf of David Pownall…”

“Proposal: Partial redevelopment to create Purpose Built Student Accommodation and Retail units, retaining existing facade to Castle Boulevard and 49/51 Fishpond Drive…”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site contains red-brick commercial buildings, part of a hard-surfaced car park and a retained four-bedroom HMO, within the Canal Conservation Area near the Park Conservation Area.

“Boulevard to the south and Fishpond Drive to the north and is formed of a collection of buildings generally constructed from red brick and half of an existing hard surfaced carpark. The three commercial buildings on the site were most recently occupied by ‘Zoo Interiors,’ who have recently relocated to other premises on Castle Boulevard. Attached premises to the west; are a home improvement shop and a vehicle repair garage, which do not form part of the development site.”

“This section of Castle Boulevard is mixed use with commercial properties immediately to the east and west and to the south are a mix of student accommodation blocks to the south west and a sofa shop to the south east. In contrast Fishpond Drive to the north is residential in character with properties a mix of traditional red brick of 2-3 storey height and more modern (1960’s); Maria Court which is 5 storey in height.”

Officer report

The proposed building

The scheme would provide four-storey student accommodation with 137 bed spaces, two retail units, communal areas, cycle storage, landscaping and a fire escape to Fishpond Drive.

“The scheme comprises the retention of the existing gabled façade fronting Castle Boulevard, retention of the existing two storey HMO and the construction of new build purpose-built student accommodation. The building would be rectangular in shape and span the full width of the site. It would be 4 stories in height (ground plus 3 storeys) and primarily constructed from red brick with accentuating glazed brick/tile details positioned above window openings.”

“The development proposes 137 bed spaces over the 4 floors:”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

Councillor Matt Shannon objected on behalf of residents, while the Planning Manager presented the application and answered questions about its design, policy, heritage and impacts.

What members debated

Members questioned whether the revised design addressed earlier concerns about appearance, heritage, noise, traffic, parking, light, overlooking, views and student housing demand.

“Planning Committee - 19.11.25 4 including appearance and design, lack of multi-level roof scape, heritage and character not in keeping with the Canal or Park conservation areas, noise and disturbance both during and post development, traffic and parking, no direct public transport links to either university from the site, impact on neighbours of loss of light, loss of view and overlooking; v) The revised proposals do not address the concerns raised by the Committee at the…”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to a Section 106 obligation, conditions in the draft decision notice and delegated authority for final details.

“2) delegate power to determine the final details of the conditions of planning permission and the Section 106 planning obligation to the Director of Planning and Transport, subject to him being satisfied that Regulation 122(2) Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 is complied with, in that the Planning Obligation sought is (a) necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms, (b) directly related to the development and (c) fairly and reasonably related…”

Minutes