Plans for a new 26-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Warwick Crescent, Southsea, Portsmouth is set to be decided by city councillors at a virtual planning committee meeting on Wednesday 12 August. Planning permission was previously granted on a site – in April 2019 – for a similar three-storey building for eight units.
If approved, the PBSA development – which has a distinctive ‘witch’s hat’ turret – will be built on a demolished site which was previously home to the Mystery Pub.
The PBSA plans put forward include a three-storey building with four five-bedroom and one six-bedroom student apartment. The site won’t have any car parking but will include storage space for 26 bikes.
PDP Architecture LLP – on behalf of the developer – said the new PBSA development would free up family homes that are currently being used by students. The site would also accommodate second- and third-year university students.
“While many of the student accommodation blocks constructed in Portsmouth in recent years have claimed to make purpose-built accommodation which would free up these family homes, most are for predominantly individual studio flats which tend to be aimed at first year students and those wanting to live independently, or of a scale which does not replicate a more intimate communal living.
“At the front of the building, closest to the highway is the feature turret with witch’s hat spire to once again provide a local landmark in an area otherwise devoid of such architectural quirks.”
Design statement by PDP Architecture LLP
