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UK: Nottingham City Council is considering new uses for some of its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) as vacancy levels across the city rise.
In Nottingham, more than 16,000 student bed spaces have been provided in the past decade, bringing hundreds of homes back onto the housing market.
As student numbers have started to fall and more rooms have become available, Nottingham City Council is considering transitioning PBSA schemes into coliving for graduates and young professionals.
The concept would provide shared spaces for people who were not in school anymore, but who do not want to live in the traditional apartment setting.
Paul Seddon, planning director at Nottingham City Council, said: “We have drafted informal planning guidance on what is known in the market as coliving. It is a transition from student accommodation to graduates, young professionals, it is not typical flat accommodation, but it is something that is important for Nottingham’s market.”
Vikki Welch, assistant director of student living at the University of Nottingham, added: “As part of the student living strategy, one of the priorities was about improving graduate retention to stay within our city and contribute to the city. The feedback we obtained from our students was they wanted to transition into more professional housing within the city, and they felt there was a gap in that.
“Our partnership has enabled us to provide that insight that has helped leverage this coliving documentation that is being prepared currently. We feel this will enable more professionals to live in our city but also retain that top talent we are educating once they have completed their studies,” she added.
Highlights:
- Nottingham City Council is exploring the conversion of some purpose-built student accommodation into coliving developments for graduates and young professionals.
- More than 16,000 student beds have been delivered in Nottingham over the past decade, helping return hundreds of family homes to the housing market.
- Rising vacancy rates and changing student demand have prompted the council to review the future role of some student housing developments.
- The proposed coliving model would provide shared accommodation designed to bridge the gap between student housing and traditional apartments.
