University of Aberdeen Opposes Student Housing Plans for Northern HotelUniversity of Aberdeen Opposes Student Housing Plans for Northern Hotel The University of Aberdeen has expressed opposition to plans to convert the former Northern Hotel into student accommodation, citing concerns over a perceived oversupply of such properties in the city. Rising Tide of Student Developments The university points to a report indicating that a significant number of new student flats are “in the pipeline” for Aberdeen, raising concerns about the potential impact on the local market. In recent years, several hotels in the city have been converted into student housing. University’s Concerns The university’s objection rests on the belief that the developers have not adequately demonstrated the need for additional student accommodation. They argue that an earlier council investigation concluded there was “no current shortage” of beds. Discrepancy over En-Suite Beds While acknowledging that there may not be a shortage of beds overall, the developers contend that there is a specific shortage of en-suite beds, a type of accommodation in high demand among students. They have submitted a report to council outlining the scale of purpose-built student accommodation in the planning pipeline. Knight Frank Report The developers’ report cites a Knight Frank City Market Report that projects a growing student population in Aberdeen, creating a need for specific types of flats in the coming years. The report does not provide specific details on the number of en-suite beds expected to be delivered. Other Developments The university has also raised concerns about the conversion of the old TSB building on Union Terrace into student apartments. The city council, on the other hand, has expressed support for increasing the number of people living in the city center, aligning with the developers’ plans for the Northern Hotel. The debate over student housing in Aberdeen highlights the tension between the university’s concerns regarding oversupply and the developers’ claims of a growing demand for en-suite beds. The outcome of the council’s decision on the Northern Hotel project remains to be seen.
The Northern Hotel (Image: Google)
The University of Aberdeen has spoken out against plans to convert the former Northern Hotel into student accommodation, saying there is insufficient demand for such properties in the city.
Earlier this year, plans were unveiled to breathe new life into the empty building at the junction of Great Northern Road and Clifton Road, which dates back decades but closed in 2022 due to “crippling energy costs”.
Project developer Inspired Living LLP wants to convert the monumental building into 47 student residences.
However, the press and the magazine reports that the university is grappling with what it sees as a rising tide of private student developments in the city. In opposing the plans for the Northern Hotel, they have cited a report which suggested that as many as 3,370 new student flats could be “in the pipeline” for Aberdeen.
In recent years, hotels in Granite City, including the Travelodge on Justice Mill Lane and the former Hilton Garden Inn on St Andrew Street, have been converted into accommodation.
Last September, plans for 383 student flats on the derelict site of a John Street pool hall were approved by the council, with plans for vacant buildings on Union Street and Union Terrace soon to follow.
All this fits in with the council’s ambition to have more people live in the city centre.
But all this could come at the expense of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon universities, which offer hundreds of their own student flats.
The University of Aberdeen has already raised some concerns about the proposal to convert the old TSB on Union Terrace into 28 apartments. And now it is turning its attention to the refurbishment of the Northern Hotel, just a few miles from campus and its own blocks.
In a letter to Aberdeen City Council, they accuse the developers of failing to substantiate claims that more student housing is needed.
The objection also argues that these claims are at odds with a council investigation which found that there is “no current shortage of student accommodation in Aberdeen”.
While there may not be a shortage of beds, as universities have hundreds of beds available, it is claimed that there is a shortage of en-suite beds.
In response, the developers of the Northern Hotel project submitted a report to the local government, outlining housing needs in the city.
Knight Frank’s latest City Market Report, due in late 2023, suggests that a growing student population will require very specific types of flats in the coming years. And it details the scale of purpose-built student accommodation “in the pipeline”.
