Plans Submitted to Expand Plymouth PBSA

Plans were submitted this month by the owner of the existing 92-bed student accommodation block, St Augustine's House, on Alexandra Road.

The application proposes the addition of two new storeys to the West block, adding 32 new student beds (16 on each new floor).

The new beds will contribute for making up for the current gap in demand for student accommodation. The application states that the new rooms will be "self contained micro-flats" for first year University of Plymouth students.

The proposed extension will bring that block of the building (currently 4 storeys) in line with the rest of the 6 storey tower. The application states that the style will be in line with the existing structure, making it a "seamless addition to the building" according to the application.

The new floors will "mirror the existing materials palette, to enable the elevations to sit harmoniously within the existing context of the site".

The application also states that it will not "have an overall impact of the footprint of the building, allowing the site access, cycle store and car parking facilities to remain unchanged".

Commenting on the lack of additional parking spaces being provisioned, the application states that: "As the additional 32 apartments are for students who will not have access to private vehicles, there have been no
amendments to the number of car parking spaces on the site".

The determination deadline for the application is 18 August.