Plans for more than 70 student bedsits quashed

People living near the site in Chapel Street, Old Town, said allowing more student accommodation would lead to an unbalanced community and transient population.

The plan was put forward by building firm A C Lloyd to convert its headquarters for student use.

Neighbours in surrounding streets objected, Warwick District Council refused planning permission and now a government planning inspector has turned down an appeal by A C Lloyd.

Referring to the existing high number of student homes in the area, the inspector’s report turning down the appeal said: “The proposal would result in an unacceptable concentration of such uses so as to cause harm to the local area and thus fail to contribute to creating a sustainable, inclusive mixed community.

“The potential for noise and disturbance both from the site itself and within the wider area as a result of an increased student population, inappropriate waste storage and the potential for anti-social behaviour and crime are particular issues highlighted.”

One of those who objected was Bruno Eurich, who has lived in Church Terrace for nearly 19 years.

He said: “We are not against students, but we are against having unbalanced communities. Some streets are 80 per cent students.

“We were disappointed that A C Lloyd, a local developer, would propose an intensive development that would have an adverse impact on the area.

“The onus has very much been on residents to discover these applications and then organise objections.

“The council is working on a policy for this kind of development but it is something that should have been done 10 years ago.”

A C Lloyd declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the Courier.