The largest student flat block proposed for Cardiff has applied to increase its capacity.
For several years, planning permission has been granted for an enormous a 711-bed development on the site of Evans Halshaw Citroen close to the Motorpoint arena.
On October 4, an application was made to amend the previous consent in order to increase the amount of beds to 728.
The scheme was originally planned to be completed by the start of this academic year but has yet to begin.
Once finished, it will be the largest student flat development in the city.
It will also provide a gym and cinema room, as well as other student amenities.
The amendment to the application, which has yet to be approved by the council, also aimed to:
- Replace cluster rooms with studio rooms (which led to the increase in capacity).
- A reduction in the building footprint.
The site is owned by specialist student accommodation development firm JEDS Investment and according to chief executive Eamonn Coleman, they have "commenced demolition on the site" and "are starting work in the near future".
Though the largest, this development is by no means the first purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) in the Welsh captial.
This is interactive map shows all the proposed and constructed student flat developments of the last three years:
Why are they so many been built?
Developers believe there is a demand for high-standard purpose-built accommodation in cities like Cardiff.
However critics argue that such blocks can get planning permission without such rigorous demands on developers.
There is no requirement to fund affordable housing elsewhere and community infrastructure levies can be lower.
Also, the economies of scale mean that hundreds of flats in the same block sharing the same heating systems can generate healthy returns for investors.
