Demolition work on the site of the new 1,116 bed Bishop Gate student accommodation development in Coventry has been completed by DSM Demolition, with the project on course for an initial phase completion in 2018.
The scheme which is being progressed by Barberry Developments and Coventry University received detailed planning consent from Coventry City Council at the beginning of March in under eight weeks.
Barberry Developments director Henry Bellfield believes the speed of the planning consent demonstrates a commitment from the council to fast track investment and regeneration of the city centre and sets them apart from other local authorities.
He said: “Coventry City Council has played a key role in getting the project to this point and has shown real dedication to fast-tracking high quality regeneration and bringing new investment into the city. The council planning team was willing to work closely with us through the pre-application design stage and this collaborative approach ensured that our plans would meet their requirements.
“We are now at a point where demolition work has completed, and we have commenced procurement of the main contractor, with a view to them being on site in the autumn.”
The initial phase comprises the delivery of three of the five blocks totaling c. 721 beds, which sit on a three storey plinth. The plinth contains the entrances to both the student accommodation and two new retail units.
Barberry has appointed architects Stride Treglown, with student accommodation divisional director Kieran Lilley leading the project. Arcadis will act as cost consultants, with Hoare Lea as M&E engineers and Nolan Associates as Civil & Structural engineers.
Barberry is also proud to be supporting Coventry’s bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2021, a process which would bring significant and lasting economic and cultural benefits to the city and will be awarded in 2017.