Planning Granted for New Student Accommodation

[Hereford Voice]

Planning permission has been granted for a new student accommodation block at Station Approach.

The application was submitted by the council’s development partners, energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE and Cityheart Partnerships, for purpose-built student accommodation at Station Approach. 

Hereford College of Arts (HCA), which has a proven need for good quality student housing to support its growth plans, will be the main customer of the Station Approach project. There will also be rooms allocated for students of NMiTE, supporting its development.

Station Approach is part of Herefordshire Council’s Development and Regeneration Programme (DRP) in partnership with ENGIE which will deliver the programme over the next 10 to 20 years. The programme will support the council’s economic vision for the county which includes support for the delivery of the new university and Hereford’s existing colleges.

The site is located at the heart of Hereford’s transport system, to the north east of the new Hereford City Link Road and provides easy access to Hereford College of Arts (HCA), Hereford station and the city centre.

Along with accompanying hard and soft landscaping, cycle parking, and accessible parking with fast charging points for electric cars, there will be public art designed and made by the students. 

Cllr Harry Bramer, cabinet member contracts and assets, said:

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“After the incredible hard work that has gone into the application and designs for Station Approach, it is fantastic news for Herefordshire that Station Approach has been granted planning permission. This is a wonderful example of a collaborative development, with the council, ENGIE, Cityheart, Hereford College of Arts and NMiTE all working together to progress this exciting project.

“We are delighted to see momentum building behind the DRP, which is a key part of our commitment to supporting the growth of our local economy and championing Herefordshire as a great place to live, work, study and visit.”

On working with Hereford College of Arts and NMiTE, Cllr Bramer concluded: “I would like to thank the staff and students of HCA and NMiTE for their feedback on the initial designs, which will help us to deliver one of the most vibrant and well-designed student accommodation projects in the country, and contribute to moving Hereford forward as a great place for higher education.” 

Jake Fellows, Major Projects Director for ENGIE’s Places & Communities division, said:

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“We’re delighted that these exciting proposals have been approved. This new development will help to cement Herefordshire’s place as a top destination for students over the coming years, and we’re looking forward to starting work on the site later in the year

“With plans for Station Approach progressing well and work about to begin on Ross Enterprise Park, the Development and Regeneration Programme is now really starting to gather pace, and this is thanks to the vision and commitment of Herefordshire Council and its partners.”

Abigail Appleton, Hereford College of Arts, said:

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“This opportunity plays an important role in our plans to attract more students than ever before to Hereford for creative degree courses at Hereford College of Arts.  We are also excited about the way that student and staff  artwork will help make this building an inspirational gateway to the city and represent our city’s great creative heritage and future.  

“We believe that collaboration between HCA, NMiTE and Herefordshire Council will help promote Hereford across the UK and beyond as a centre for exceptional specialist education.”

Elena Rodriguez-Falcon, CEO of NMiTE, added:

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“We are fully supportive of these exciting proposals and delighted to be partnering with HCA as customers for this purpose-built accommodation which will, we hope, make an important contribution to our requirements for our September 2020 intake of learner engineers”.

 

[M. Preece]

All looks nice but it feels like it is taking forever. 

[Cloudberry]

I am appalled that accommodation for young people is being crammed into space at the junction of two busy roads, plus diesel trains on the other side, where the AIR POLLUTION and NOISE is likely to be much greater than almost any other place in Hereford. This at a time when the life-threatening effects of air pollution on health are constantly in the news. One or two trees won't make any difference. Students will be at risk every time they open their windows.

So many practical things in this application have not been thought through. For example, students are all expected to use bikes, but there seems to be a narrow entrance to the bike store room.  They will all have to queue to get in and out at busy times! And that will take time they shouldn't have to waste!

If I was a prospective student this would not encourage me to come to Hereford.

[SON OF GRIDKNOCKER]

I'm sorry to be such a wet blanket amidst all the smug mutual back-slapping, but I really don't think this lumpen structure even deserves to be called 'architecture'.

It is a bland nondescript building, which pays little respect to the neighbouring Grade II-listed Victorian building, which two years ago was singled out by the writer Simon Jenkins as one of Britain's 100 best railway stations. Together with the dreadful Medical Centre, (which was approved last year) Hereford will soon become known as Leggoland. 

[megilleland]

Reminds me of those satanic cotton mills/warehouses seen in our industrial wastelands.

[Hereford Voice]

The construction of new student accommodation at Station Approach, Hereford, has been given official approval following a decision taken yesterday (Monday 10 June).

This means that building work on the 178 bed purpose-built facility can start within the next few weeks and it is planned to be completed ready for students to move in for the academic year starting September 2020. The development of Higher Education is critical to supporting the economic prosperity of the city and wider county, providing opportunities for people to live and learn in Herefordshire, and establishing a workforce that will help local businesses continue to flourish as well as attract new investment.

The council is carrying out the project with our development partners, energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE and Cityheart Partnerships. Hereford College of Arts (HCA), which has a proven need for good quality student housing to support its growth plans, will be the main customer of the new accommodation. There will also be the option to provide rooms for students of NMiTE, supporting its development.

The site is perfectly located for easy access to local colleges, key transport links and the city centre.

Councillor David Hitchiner, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “The new student accommodation will provide high quality purpose-built facilities, making Herefordshire an even more attractive proposition for young people looking to study here. We are delighted that this will support our local higher education providers and promote Herefordshire as a great place to study and live.

“Station Approach is a key project within the council’s Development and Regeneration Programme (DRP) which will support economic development in the county.”

The project will be financed by an external provider and operated by a specialist company. The freehold of the site will be retained by the council.

The council car park at Station Approach will close to allow the development, but the NCP car park will continue to operate. Residents and visitors are asked to make use of the existing capacity in the council’s other car parks around the city centre, and new signage along Station Approach will help direct people to Merton Meadow.

 

[Roger]

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Residents and visitors are asked to make use of the existing capacity in the council’s other car parks around the city centre, and new signage along Station Approach will help direct people to Merton Meadow.

So ignore the f8ck off sized supermarket car park 10 yards' away! Or Lidl? Just Political speak again. Ignoring reality!