Gregory Properties has bought a strategic site on York’s Foss Islands Road to ease the shortage of purpose-built student accommodation in the city.
Gregory has drawn up plans to deliver 138 studios with seven communal rooms and well-being amenity within a largely three-storey purpose-built building. Instead of parking facilities, the proposals include an allocation of around 100 cycle spaces.
Harrogate-based Gregory Properties is no stranger to York having delivered the £40 million Foss Islands Retail Park in 2007. The Group is also well versed in delivering residential accommodation and was responsible for The Refinery, a 400-bed student scheme in central Leeds , shortlisted for national award recognition.
John McGhee, Head of Residential at Gregory Properties is leading the project. He said: “Our commitment to York as an evolving city is long standing and we are passionate about repurposing brownfield sites in a sustainable way to support modern day use. This site is a prime example of an under-developed site with old, tired and outmoded buildings but well located for student provision.
“We know that York has one of the worst shortages of student accommodation in the UK. Affordable accommodation for students is a priority for both Universities in attracting young talent and with this scheme, we hope that we can deliver against at least a small part of the current shortage.”
The proposals have been met with no objection from Historic England which has determined that scheme designs meet the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework, in particular in relation to proposals affecting heritage assets.
