Work on Naafi building site is now under way
WORK has finally started on a major student flats development in the city centre.
Workmen have moved on to the former Naafi building site on Notte Street – following sale of the land by Plymouth University.
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Architect's images of how new student accommodation at the old NAAFI site will look in the city centre
Knightsbridge Student Housing have bought the freehold of the plot for £3.5million.
The company says the building will be finished and ready for its first student occupants by August 2013.
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The cleared site has been fenced off for almost 18 months, after the university-owned Naafi building was controversially demolished in 2010.
Plymouth University received planning permission in October that year to build a £21million student housing block. It was originally due to be complete by September this year.
Knightsbridge Student Housing said they will be sticking to the agreed plans, which were scaled back after concerns from nearby residents about the height of the development.
The site has full planning permission for student accommodation of between four and nine storeys, containing 517 student bedrooms – 59 flats and 73 studio rooms.
The site will also include shops and cafes on to Armada Way and Notte Street.
Bob Crompton, Knightsbridge Student Housing CEO, said: "We have looked at investing in Plymouth for a number of years and are delighted to have secured this opportunity.
"Once the building is complete, we will manage the building through our operating company The Student Housing Company, which will provide first class accommodation and care to the students of Plymouth."
The company has appointed Currie and Brown as their employers agent, and Leadbitters as construction partner.
The 1.2 acre site was previously home to teaching accommodation, which has since been relocated to other parts of the university.
The Naafi building was also known as the Hoe Centre.
Protestors had launched a petition against the building's demolition in July 2010, and attempted to get it listed by English Heritage.
The development generated further interest in November 2010 and February 2011 when builders demolishing the former Naafi building uncovered unexploded World War Two bombs.
The discovery of the air-dropped bombs each time resulted in a exclusion zones being set up, and dozens of people evacuated from city centre homes, restaurants, bars and hotels.
The sale was negotiated by independent property adviser GVA.
Gordon Isgrove, GVA land and development director, said: "The successful sale of this central site to Knightsbridge Student Housing is part of Plymouth University's strategy to increase the number of first-class rooms available to students in the city.
"This will also help the City meet its housing targets, because the provision of purpose-built student accommodation will enable the release of large houses occupied by students back into the residential market."
Comments
by LordorNothing
Thursday, May 17 2012, 12:02PM
“peter,
it is my understanding that the foundations and structure of the naffi building were not 'up to standard' with regards to conversion, and that it was cheaper to demolish and rebuild to modern 'eco' (and i use the term 'eco' with a raised eyebrow!) standards.
for the record, i think it will be a fantastic modern building, but i will also miss the naffi building as an iconic landmark, but nothing can detract from the fact that this city needs more student accomodation like this in order to return HMO's to family use in certain areas in plymouth.
im also privy to previous plans to turn the hotel next door into student accomodation for foreign students a few years ago, that however fell through as it would have taken about 9 years to recoup initial costs.”
by PL1Plym
Thursday, May 17 2012, 11:38AM
“ceebeeone. Students live in the most desirable locations??? Exeter St, Cobourg St, Clifton Place, Alexandria Rd... No offence to those that do live there but it's not on my list of desirable places in Plymouth to live. Maybe you are aiming a little low here?”
by londonjanner
Thursday, May 17 2012, 10:03AM
“Let's get this built and more of the same please...”
by Bacon2310
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 5:26PM
“Its simple ceebeeone - earn more money so you can afford to live in a more desirable place. If you don't like where you live now, change jobs/re-train to earn more money, do whatever you can - but go and grab it. Don't blame students.”
by Artfur
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 4:59PM
“This plot bought for £3.5ml, across town the pavilions site was given away+£2.6ml handout.
I'm confused...........”
by Peter20113
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 3:34PM
“I think the more student accommodation built the better as it will empty out houses that are better suited to family occupation and reduce the "ghettoisation" of parts of Plymouth”
by Peter20113
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 3:18PM
“Why green?
I would love to see an iconic building going up in Plymouth.
The naafi building could have been renovated and extra floors added if someone had the vision to. The clock and flagpole looked good”
by ceebeeone
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 2:46PM
“Unfortunately, though I would love to love in an interesting area I don't have the money. Why should the students always have the choice of living in the most desirable places? Joe Bloggs and I can't afford to - unless we can rent a student flat?? -”
by PL1Plym
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 2:28PM
“ceebeeone Why do you have to be a student to live on the Barbican? I don't really see the appeal of living on the Barbican. Lack of space, privacy, parking etc let alone to mention the noise from the "LOCALS". It's not the best place to live and TRUST me I know every nock and cranny of it and The Hoe.
As far as I'm aware there is NO student accommodation on the "Barbican". Exeter Street and Phoenix House on The Hoe yes maybe but pleas correct me if there is any on the Barbican!
Think twice before you become so apposed to these student developments. Like I said in my previous comment and many times before. More of these means more "regular" accommodation for "locals!"”
by timplymouth
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 2:27PM
“The old building was at least interesting and could have been spruced up. Student rooms is a good use of that location though.
http://tinyurl.com/6vobpun”