The Nottingham City Council Planning Committee convened to discuss several planning applications, including a major residential development on Queens Road, the expansion of Bluecoat Wollaton Academy, and the conversion of the Old Town Hall in Bulwell into flats. The committee also considered a plan for student accommodation on Radford Road. A decision was made regarding the procurement of plastic domestic waste and recycling wheeled bins, with the decision approved.

Planning Applications

Units 1 To 4 Queens Road Nottingham

The committee reviewed application 24/00290/PFUL3, submitted by Lichfields on behalf of MRP Nottingham Ltd, for the redevelopment of Units 1 to 4 Queens Road. The proposal involves constructing a part 8, part 9, and part 18-storey residential building (Phase Two) with associated infrastructure, amenity space, and landscaping.

The application was brought to the committee due to its scale, prominent site location, design, heritage considerations, and potential for reduced planning obligation contributions due to viability reasons.

The Director for Planning and Transport was delegated the power to determine the final details and terms of the Section 106 Planning Obligation, ensuring compliance with Regulation 122(2) Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010¹. Following completion of the Section 106 Planning Obligation, the Director was authorised to grant planning permission subject to necessary conditions.

The site is located at the corner of Queens Road and London Road, near Nottingham Station, within the Canal Quarter Regeneration Zone and the Station Conservation Area, and adjacent to the Grade II* listed Nottingham Station.

The proposed scheme includes 274 units (424 lettable rooms) comprising a mix of unit types, including co-living rental accommodation:

• 28 x one-bed flats
• 28 x two-bed flats
• 7 x three-bed flats
• 16 x four-bed cluster flats
• 15 x five-bed cluster flats
• 180 studio flats

The ground floor would accommodate communal facilities, including co-working space, a café, meeting rooms, and amenity space. The development also includes a widened footpath and public realm with tree planting along the Queens Road frontage, a landscaped central courtyard, a roof terrace, and a sky lounge.

The application is supported by a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) metric, demonstrating a habitat unit increase of 0.36, equating to a Net Gain of 531.25%.

Two letters of objection and one letter of support were received. Objections raised included concerns about the need for another 18-storey building, low occupancy in neighbouring developments, loss of light and privacy for residents in the Hicking Building, increased traffic congestion, and the need for more green spaces.

The Nottingham Civic Society (NCS) objected to the proposed tall building, stating that it fails to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Station Conservation Area and damages the setting of the Grade II* listed Station.

Historic England (HE) did not object to the proposal but recommended testing the views assessed in the Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment in the Council's 3D city model.

The Conservation Officer was satisfied with the scale and design of the proposed development, noting that it would enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and its listed buildings.

The main issues discussed in the appraisal of the proposed development were:

• Principle of the development
• Design considerations, impact upon the adjacent conservation areas, the setting of nearby listed buildings and key views
• Impact on neighbour amenity
• Highways impact
• Biodiversity and Biodiversity Net Gain
• Planning obligations

Bluecoat Wollaton Academy, Sutton Passeys Crescent, Nottingham City NG8 1EA

The committee reviewed application 25/00303/PFUL3, submitted by Maber on behalf of Nottingham City Council, for the construction of a three-court sports hall with PE storage, changing facilities, toilets, and 12 classrooms to facilitate a school expansion by 300 pupils at Bluecoat Wollaton Academy. The proposal also includes car parking to the front of the building, providing 17 spaces, and an additional car park to the northeast corner of the school site, providing 38 spaces with a new access off Sutton Passeys Crescent.

The application was brought to the committee due to significant public interest contrary to the officer recommendation.

The committee voted to grant permission subject to conditions listed in the draft decision notice, with the power to determine the final details of the conditions delegated to the Director of Planning and Transport.

The proposed expansion of the BWA addresses a shortage of secondary school places within the City. The BWA delivers excellent educational outcomes, with an Ofsted rating of outstanding in all categories.

The proposal involves the construction of a three-court sports hall with PE facilities and 12 classrooms. There would be 17 car parking spaces at the front of this new building, with additional car parking immediately to the eastern side of the school site. The new car parking area would be accessed via Sutton Passeys Crescent and would provide 38 spaces, it would also incorporate a landscaping buffer to the neighbouring housing on Abbots Way and Sutton Passeys Crescent.

Additionally, a temporary car park is proposed to the northeast of the new car parking area, providing 36 temporary spaces. It would be located on part of the school playing field.

A total of 89 car parking spaces and 80 cycle spaces are proposed to be provided on completion of development.

As a result of publicity, nine representations were received, raising concerns about traffic congestion, the narrowness of Sutton Passey's Crescent, overgrown hedges, parents parking in permit-only areas, inadequate travel plans, and construction traffic.

The main issues discussed in the appraisal of the proposed development were:

• Principle of Development
• Design Considerations and Impact on the Conservation Areas
• Residential Amenity and Highways Impact
• Trees and Surface Water Drainage
• Other Matters

490 Radford Road Nottingham City NG7 7EA

The committee reviewed application 23/02055/PFUL3, submitted by Mr D Landa, JGM (Nottingham) Ltd, for the conversion and alteration of an existing building and new build following demolition to provide 71 units of purpose-built student accommodation (total of 136 bedrooms) at 490 Radford Road.

The application was brought to the committee because planning obligations are proposed to be waived on viability grounds.

The committee voted to grant planning permission subject to prior completion of a Section 106 Planning Obligation and the indicative conditions listed in the draft decision notices. The power to determine the final details of the conditions of planning permission and the Section 106 Planning Obligation was delegated to the Director of Planning and Transport.

The main building on the site, known as Damad House, is a vacant two and three-storey former mill building located at the corner of Radford Road and Egypt Road, within the Star Buildings Conservation Area.

The proposed development would consist of 61% cluster beds and 39% studio beds. It would include indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, as well as secure bike storage located in a new, central amenity space.

Two representations from neighbouring residents were received, raising concerns about the property's impact and alleged illegal renting by the owner.

The Nottingham Civic Society supported most elements of the restoration scheme but raised concerns about the replacement of historic small-paned metal windows with UPVC versions.

The main issues discussed in the appraisal of the proposed development were:

• Principle of the Development
• Design, Scale, and Impact on the Streetscene and Conservation Area
• Impact on the Amenities of Surrounding and Future Occupants
• Highway Considerations
• Other Matters

Old Town Hall, Highbury Road, Nottingham City NG6 9AA

The committee reviewed application 23/00955/PFUL3, submitted by Ian Sullivan Architecture Ltd on behalf of Hillstar Investments Ltd, for the conversion of the second and third floors of the Old Town Hall in Bulwell to 12 flats (Class C3²).

The application was brought to the committee because planning obligations are proposed to be waived on viability grounds.

The committee voted to grant planning permission subject to the indicative conditions listed in the draft decision notice. The power to determine the final details of the conditions of planning permission was delegated to the Director of Planning and Transport.

The building is the locally listed, former Bulwell Town Hall, which fronts Highbury Road. The building is sustainably located being approximately 200m to the south-east of Bulwell market square, 50m to the north-west of the Bulwell train station and within the Bulwell Conservation Area.

The proposal is for the provision of 9 x 1 bed flats and 3 x 2 bed flats over the second and third floors of the building, providing 12 flats in total.

Two letters of support were received, raising points about the need for regeneration and addressing the housing shortage in Bulwell.

The Nottingham Civic Society raised concerns about the replacement of existing windows and suggested a survey and record of any remnants of the original public hall.

The main issues discussed in the appraisal of the proposed development were:

• Principle of the Development
• Design, Scale, and Impact on Townscape and Heritage Assets
• Impact on the Amenities of Surrounding and Future Occupants
• Flood Risk
• Planning Obligations

Procurement of Plastic Domestic Waste and Recycling, Wheeled Bins

The committee approved the decision regarding the procurement of plastic domestic waste and recycling wheeled bins.