A derelict Stirling city centre pub building could be turned into almost 30 student flats.
The Arches bar and restaurant premises at 35 Upper Craigs has been vacant for several years.
But now a planning application has been submitted to Stirling Council planners by Iceni Projects Ltd on behalf of ‘Homesmatch’ seeking a change of use to turn the three-storey property into 27 student flats. Developers claim the project would
help plug an expected shortfall in student accommodation in the area over the next few years.
Four of the flats would feature “small kitchenettes”, and two communal kitchen and lounge areas would be provided for the remaining units.
Secure cycle storage is planned to the back of the building and extra amenity space in the basement floor including a “break-out” area with soft seating and games facilities.
In a submission to planners, Iceni said: “This will be a managed, purpose-built student accommodation development with on-site staff/security being an integral part of the development.
“It is important to note that this change of use is to purpose built student accommodation and not a proposal for HMO (Homes in Multiple Occupation) flats.
“As the current application is specifically for the student market and is not for HMO development, the proposal does not fall foul of the HMO concentration threshold criteria.
“Recent correspondence between our client and the University of Stirling highlights that the student population is expected to grow from 8,500 students in 2016/17 to 12,500 by 2021.
“It was highlighted by the university that there is a known shortage of purpose-built student accommodation in Stirling, for the proposed type of standard affordable accommodation, and the proposed development would assist in meeting the identified need and reducing pressure from the projected increase in student population.
“The university, and the students union, have also been consulted on the facilities, room types and sizes, and management operations and facilities, which has influenced the final design of the proposals.
“The proposed change of use will positively affect the surrounding area as it will bring a vacant building back into use. This will improve the vitality and viability of the area, and will have a postive economic impact by providing needed homes for students who will in turn support local businesses and facilities through consumer spending.”
Larger scale student accommodation has at times proved controversial in recent years.
Construction began on an £18.2 million student accommodation scheme on the corner of Forthside Way and Shore Road, Riverside, last April. The 208-bed development of up to eight storeys comprises 123 studio flats, eight one-bedroom apartments and 76 two- and three-bed en-suite ‘cluster flats’. Communal facilities include a cinema, gym, games room, laundry, plus several private and group study rooms.
Building firm Bett had sold on the site, which once belonged to Stirling Council, to London-based Empiric Student Property. In 2015 Empiric lodged plans for a three-storey development of 165 flats for more than 200 students, which the council turned down following 13 objections. One of the objections was from Riverside Community Council, whose members said the area there had reached “saturation point” because of the number of student-occupied houses of multiple occupancy.
However, the application granted by the Scottish Government on appeal by Empiric who in November 2017 sold the site for £2 million.
In April 2017 meanwhile, McLaren (Stirling) Ltd submitted plans for a 153-bedroom students’ residence at 14-16 Dumbarton Road, behind New Look, which had been originally been earmarked for a six-storey, 120-bed hotel. Those developers similarly said the unused former public toilet site, known as Carter’s Yard, would help with a shortfall in student accommodation and said the building would include a common room, gym, cinema room and laundry facilities.
A report at that time by Savills said there was a significant shortfall in student accommodation in the city, with HMOs taking up much of the slack along with local students living with their parents, and the university itself providing less than a third of purpose-built student housing.
