By Alex Murray
Two new student accommodation blocks have been approved in two historic parts of Leicester, with the city council giving the plans the go ahead.
More than 125 new flats will be built near St Mary De Castro’s Church and the Leicester Castle Business School, next to the Liberty Court student accommodation block.
Another building in New Walk will also be converted into studio apartments.
Historic Buildings near the planned site.Victoria Hall Management Ltd wants to demolish an old two-storey office block in Castle Street, and build a £10 million five-floor flat complex in its place.
The company used to own the block next door which is now part of the Liberty Living group.
Residents had complained over the possibility of more student flats in the area, especially with the large Liberty Court complex already being there.
They complained that the arrival of more students into the area, and overlooking their homes, would lead to more noise and a loss of privacy.
However, the plans were approved by the council, saying that it would contribute to it’s Government-set targets on housing need.
Will Woodward, a resident of Leicester and former DMU student, said: “I couldn’t even guess at an opinion, but if there are expansion plans, I wouldn’t say I’m against it.
“There does seem to be a lot of student blocks, but there are a lot of students. So if there’s demand, why not build more.”
Leicester has seen a rise in student blocks, with more and more accommodation being made available for the cities two universities.
The council has attempted to quell fears that more students would lead to a rise in poor behaviour in the area.
In New Walk, a local group has complained that more students in the area has led to more late night and early morning noise, and an increase in the rise of overflowing bins.
