Latest news with #CastleLeazes
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Newcastle University's Castle Leazes student halls approved
A new £274m student accommodation complex has been given the go-ahead by Students and Newcastle University received planning permission on Friday for a redevelopment of its Castle Leazes area's recently demolished 1960s student flats will now be replaced by new blocks housing more than 2,000 students and which are expected to open in time for the 2028/29 academic City Council's planning committee approved the plans despite concerns from neighbouring residents about an "overdevelopment" of the area. A spokesperson representing more than 70 households told a civic centre hearing that locals feared the "loss of community, anti-social behaviour and strain on infrastructure".The new Castle Leazes complex, which will be up to nine stories tall, will have 2,009 bedrooms compared with the previous 1, Local Democracy Reporting Service said objectors warned the development, which also features a gym, café, cinema room and study space, could bring more noise, congestion and light pollution to the arguing that a new fenced pathway across Leazes Moor to Richardson Road could "fundamentally alter" the unique green space, they wanted the plans redrawn and downsized. However, university chiefs argued the move was needed to address a shortfall in accommodation, which it guarantees to all first year students, and would ease pressure on other Collins, the university's chief financial officer, said the redevelopment was "a key part of our strategy to enhance the student experience by providing high-quality student accommodation in accessible locations. "It allows us to attract students to the city who provide significant economic value and vibrancy to the city."Labour councillor Dan Greenhough, cabinet member for economy, jobs and skills, said the project will "support about 320 jobs over the four years, which is also great for the city's economy".He added: "Our universities make a huge contribution to the economic and social life of our city and this major investment in new accommodation will strengthen that." Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Newcastle Uni's £274m Castle Leazes halls set for approval
A £274m redevelopment of a student accommodation site is set to be approved on Friday, despite accommodation blocks with more than 2,000 bedrooms will replace Newcastle University's Castle Leazes halls of residence, which is being university said the new buildings would help deal with an "immediate and pressing shortage" of student plans are recommended for approval, but there have been concerns from locals over anti-social behaviour and a strain on services. Castle Leazes, which was built in the 1960s, was put forward for demolition after it was deemed replacement complex would be built around five courtyards with the housing blocks ranging between four and nine storeys in will also be a gym, a café, a cinema room, and study space. Opponents of the plans have claimed the development could "overwhelm" nearby listed buildings and place "undue pressure on local infrastructure and services".One objection submitted to the council on behalf of 73 neighbours called the proposals a "significant overdevelopment" that is "entirely out of character" with the rest of the added: "We support the principle of redevelopment but not at any cost. "What has been proposed is a poorly managed, overbearing scheme that threatens to erase the character, culture, and community of one of Newcastle's most historic neighbourhoods."Increasing the size of the Castle Leazes halls from the previous 1,247 bedrooms to 2,009 has also sparked concerns about the potential for anti-social behaviour and parking problems, the Local Democracy Reporting Service the university's planning application argued that increasing the size of the halls would help relieve pressure on areas like Jesmond and planners added there was "evident demand" for the larger residence and said the new housing would "sit comfortably within its surroundings".According to a report, the development would also provide "significant" economic benefits and it was "not considered that there would be an adverse impact on the amenity of nearby residents". Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
