New Student Accommodation Could Be Given The Go Ahead

An application to replace a former nightclub with student accommodation on Brook Street could be given the go ahead next week.

In a planning meeting to be held next Monday, an application to demolish the former Scotts nightclub and commercial/industrial buildings previously used by Rollings Ltd and replace the buildings with student accommodation will be discussed.

The plans show 21 residential ‘cluster flats’ with 107 bed spaces could be developed, along with car parking underneath. In total the car parking will have 51 parking spaces and three disabled spaces.

Back in June we reported that a planning application had been submitted, with the application stating that area had been chosen ‘due to its location in the town centre and accessibility to the Central train station and Glyndwr University’.

In the planning report it states that the Community Council are not ‘opposed to the regeneration of the site’, but add that they regret the demolition of the ‘historic building’.

Over the last few years the building has fallen into a state of disrepair, with the report stating that the problem is ‘compounded by significant asbestos problems which prevent the building from being used again and has to be demolished to address the current problems’.

One concern that has been raised relates to the amount of vehicles that will be leaving the site, that could potentially cause problems on Brook and Lea Street. The barrier system at Brooke Street was also raised as a potential traffic problem.

It adds: “Landlocked and access needs to be maintained. It is disappointing that the two sites facing Brook Street, i.e. the taxi parking area and the small commercial garage site are not incorporated within the scheme as these sites might be difficult to develop at a later stage. They also question whether the developers would fund a residents’ parking scheme for Lea Road.”

Three letters of objection were also submitted regarding the demolition of the building, with concerns raised about the potential traffic, asbestos in the building and also existing parking problems.

Regarding the development it is stated in the application that: “The development site currently comprises the former Scotts night club and commercial buildings previously occupied by Rollings Ltd. They offer little in terms of the street-scene. Scotts has fallen into disrepair, and whilst it has a decorative stone façade onto Brook Street, its general condition has a negative impact on the street.”