Plans for 126 new student rooms rejected in Bristol after over 160 objections

Councillors have voted against plans for a new student accommodation complex on Cotham Hill.

The St Joseph’s complex was rejected by five votes to three at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday 2nd September, with one councillor abstaining.

The decision came despite planning officers recommending that the application be approved. A total of 162 objections were submitted by local residents.

via Google Maps

The area already has a large student population, with 43.5 per cent of local residents recorded as full-time students. A council report also found that there are 196 existing student bedspaces within 200 metres of the proposed development.

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Green councillor Guy Poultney, who represents Cotham, spoke against the plans, arguing that the area was “over-concentrated” with students and that the community had become “unbalanced”.

However, planning officers told councillors that purpose-built student accommodation is assessed differently from houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). They said the proposed development would not alter the character of the area.

Conservative councillor Richard Eddy supported the application, arguing that professionally managed student accommodation could help address some of the problems associated with HMOs.

Lib Dem councillor Zoe Peat opposed the plans, saying purpose-built student accommodation would not help the more than 20,000 households currently waiting for housing in Bristol.

The application will now return to the planning committee, where councillors will be given proposed reasons for refusing the scheme that could withstand a potential appeal.