Plans for the transformation of College House, a largely vacant office building located in Bristol city centre, have been approved, paving the way for the creation of 57 student studio apartments above a Tesco Express store. The redevelopment received the go-ahead from Bristol City Council on 19 March, allowing for the conversion of the upper four floors, which are currently empty and previously tied to a prior planning application that proposed 52 residential units.
College House, which overlooks College Green and consists of five floors and a basement, will provide studio apartments designed primarily for post-graduate and returning undergraduate students. These modern studios will feature designated areas including a bed zone, dressing zone, kitchen and dining zone, study zone, and an en-suite bathroom, with sizes ranging from 15 sqm to 20 sqm. Accessibility has also been a consideration, with three of the studios set to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
The basement of the building will undergo alterations to incorporate storage space, study areas, and a plant room, further enhancing the facilities available to future residents.
Public reaction to the plans has been mixed, with comments from readers, as seen in the Bristol Post's report. One reader, identified as CharlesBridge, remarked on the "imaginative reinvention of the disused office," highlighting the need for more student accommodation. Another commenter, known as Cheddar, expressed support for reusing existing structures rather than opting for demolition, describing it as a form of recycling through refurbishment.
However, not all feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of the development on the wider housing market. Readers like Bs3bob questioned whether the new accommodation would effectively address the availability of housing for non-students or contribute to pressures on the existing residential market. Others voiced concerns that the focus on student flats takes away from the need for affordable housing for families and working individuals in the city.
Comments reflect a spectrum of opinions, from those advocating for educational opportunities presented by the new studios to others imploring for a larger focus on affordable homes amidst ongoing issues such as homelessness and the housing crisis. Fisherman19 pointed out the limited space in the planned studios as insufficient for comfortable living.
As discussions continue, the ramifications of the transformation of College House into student accommodation are expected to remain a point of contention among residents, city officials, and educational institutions alike.
Source: Noah Wire Services