Property development and investment firm – Abode Asset Management – has submitted plans to convert a former leather factory in Radford, Nottingham, into a 205-bedroom purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme.
Abode’s proposals, lodged with Nottingham City Council, would replace an earlier consent for 73 units that expired in March 2025. The updated application includes 66 studio flats and shared cluster units, designed by Hewitt & Carr Architects.
While most of the original factory has been demolished, the rear three-storey section will be retained. The site currently also includes a snooker club called Hidden Spot.
The site was occupied by lace factories from the 1880s up until the 1950s and by the 1960s it was used as a leather works. Large parts of Radford, which was historically a bastion of Nottingham’s important lacemaking industry, have been converted into PBSA in recent years – taking advantage of the area’s location between the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University.
“Our proposal aims to remain in keeping to the architectural language of the Forest Mills development, with materials taking inspiration from the existing factory building on site.”
Planning document
