St Marks high-rise student blocks set for approval

Plans for ten blocks of more than 1,300 student rooms in the St Marks area of Lincoln are expected to be given the go ahead.

The application by Aberdeen Standard Investments would see the first part of a £150 millions redevelopment of St Marks which also includes plans for shops, a hotel and a car park of up to 1,100 spaces.

Outline permission for the development was given the go ahead by the City of Lincoln Council back in June 2017.

Current retail units at St Marks will be demolished. Photo: Ralph Lending

Approval has been given to demolish the former Homebase, Lidl, Topps Tiles and part of the BHS unit in order to make way for the proposed student accommodation.

Visuals of the site on St Marks which is currently occupied by Homebase, Lidls and Topps Tiles.

Officers at the City of Lincoln Council have recommended approval of the proposal and members of the authority’s planning committee will meet to decide on the application on September 12.

A total of 1,368 student rooms would be created as part of the plan which would be built across 10 buildings, ranging from four to 10 storeys in height.

Visuals of the site towards the northern edge of the St Marks site.

Space would also be made for cycle storage and management facilities.

As previously reported, the theme will eventually see all the units to the west of Debenhams demolished and replaced with new retail units, leisure space and other amenities.

View from Beevor Street into the courtyards.

Options discussed also include the possibility of a new cinema and waterfront restaurants and the scheme has the potential to generate up to 2,000 new jobs in the city.

David Stewart of Aberdeen Standard Investments said: “Submitting this planning application with the University of Lincoln’s support is a major endorsement of our plans and a key step on the road to delivering our vision for a revitalised St Marks.”

A University of Lincoln spokesperson added: “Students are at the heart of everything that we do at the University of Lincoln and we are committed to providing a total learning experience which includes ensuring high quality student accommodation.

“The location of this development is perfect for the campus and we are confident that Aberdeen Standard Investments share our ethos and belief about enhancing every element of the student experience.”