A long-abandoned cinema on Queen’s Road in Nottingham is set to be demolished and replaced by student accommodation, following approval from the Nottingham City Council’s planning committee.
The proposed development, led by Zen Nottingham Limited, will see the construction of a new tower block ranging between six and nine storeys. The building is expected to house 31 studios and provide 50 shared accommodation beds, catering to the growing demand for student housing in the city.
This approval marks a shift from an earlier plan, granted in September 2020, which proposed 39 residential apartments and retail units at the same site. However, that particular project, put forward by a different developer, never came to fruition.
During the planning committee meeting, concerns were raised regarding the change in the development’s purpose from residential to student accommodation. One committee member questioned whether this shift would impact other residential developments within the broader context of ongoing projects in the area.
In response, a planning officer clarified that each development site operates independently, and the current project should be viewed as a suitable alternative, rather than a replacement, for the previously intended residential scheme. The officer further noted that the decision to pursue student accommodation was driven by the proximity of the site to other student developments and the new Castle Meadow Campus of the University of Nottingham, making the location ideal for such a use.
Zen Nottingham Limited has also committed to contributing financially to local housing and community initiatives as part of the development. This includes a sum of £176,018 towards affordable housing elsewhere in the city, £106,460 for the enhancement of public open spaces off-site, and an additional £22,595 allocated to local employment and training initiatives.
The decision to repurpose the derelict cinema site is expected to align well with Nottingham’s broader urban development plans, particularly in light of the city’s growing student population. The move is seen as a positive step towards revitalising the area while addressing the accommodation needs of students.
As the project moves forward, there will likely be continued scrutiny of its impact on the surrounding community and the overall balance of residential and student housing in Nottingham. However, with planning approval now secured, the transformation of this long-neglected site into a modern student living space is set to proceed.
The forthcoming development not only represents a new chapter for the disused cinema but also signals the ongoing evolution of Nottingham’s urban landscape, particularly in its approach to meeting the needs of its expanding student population. As the city continues to grow, such projects are anticipated to play a key role in shaping its future.
