Work on Naafi building site is now under way – Plymouth
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. Knightsbridge Student Housing have bought the freehold of the plot for £3.5million.
Knightsbridge says the building will be finished and ready for its first student occupants by August 2013.
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.
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.”…