The £195m project planned for Middlesex Street near Aldgate Underground Station will involve demolition of a substation and construction of a part 18, 21 and 24 storey building with basement.

The new building is planned to be completed for the 2021/22 academic year and will be Unite’s first central London scheme since 2013, when it withdrew from the London market because of soaring land prices. 

Designed by Architecture PLB, the buildings will be brick envelope in alternating buff and dark brick vertical sections to break on the mass of the building with the highest point rising to 87m.

The consent remains subject to approval from the Greater London Authority, which is anticipated in the next few weeks.

The application has been supported through planning by Kings College London, with both parties working towards a long-term nomination agreement.

Unite’s client team includes structural engineer Walsh Group with mechanical and electrical and environmental services design provided by Applied Energy

Nick Hayes, Unite Students Group property director, said: “London is the UK’s largest student market but also one of the most difficult in which to deliver new supply.

“Middlesex Street creates new supply in a strategically important location where there is a shortage of affordable, high quality accommodation.

“The scheme adds to our London pipeline, which already includes the 678-bed forward fund development at First Way in Wembley, due for completion in 2020.”