Student flats planned for former Salvation Army building in Nottingham
A former Salvation Army hostel could be turned into student accommodation as 79 new flats have been planned for the city.
Maber Architects, on behalf of Megaclose Ltd, have asked for planning permission to use the Boston Street site as homes for some of the city’s students.
Plans involve increasing the number of rooms from 70 to 79. The Salvation Army left the building, known as Sneinton House, in February 2014, despite homeless residents launching a petition to save the hostel.
They gathered more than 1,000 signatures against the move. It had been a fixture of the city centre since 1995 and was the last Salvation Army hostel in central Nottingham, the home city of the organisation’s founder, William Booth.
Former staff member Ian Ritchie, 69, of Mapperley, said: “”It’s very sad that it closed. I understand there’s a need for student flats in the city centre, but it seems like there is nowhere for people who need a place to go. There’s Framework, but there are no more Salvation Army buildings in central Nottingham. That goes against everything the Salvation Army stands for …
A spokeswoman for the Salvation Army said they were unable to comment on planning applications for former buildings.
She added: “”We continue to work to ensure our church and charity is able to help those who need us through our corps in Nottingham, as well as our William Booth Memorial Complex.””
If granted planning permission by Nottingham City Council, the flats would add to the growing number of student halls in the city centre.
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