Liverpool rejects Unite’s Arrad House plans

A bid to increase the number of bedspaces at one of eight buildings at Unite Student Village has been turned down after officers ruled the proposal would result in “substandard” student accommodation.

Arrad House in the city’s cultural quarter had been in line for a facelift and extension under plans lodged by the PBSA provider.

Unite Students wanted to add 36 cluster bedrooms – 20 on the first floor and eight on each of the second and third floors – taking the total number of student beds within the building from 74 to 110.

However, the plans did not pass muster with Liverpool City Council’s planning team.

In a decision notice confirming refusal of the plans, the scheme is criticised as “over intensive”.

“The proposed development would result in a poor quality and substandard form of purpose-built student accommodation… As such, the development would fail to deliver a high standard of accommodation and would not function well for future occupants,” the decision notice states.

Falconer Chester Hall advised on design and ROK Planning advised on planning matters.

To learn more, search for reference number 26F/0235 on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.