Godwin Developments has submitted proposals for a 692-unit purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Nottingham city centre, on the site of the former Royal Mail sorting office.

The plans were submitted to Nottingham City Council and propose the demolition of the current disused and degraded building and the construction of a new contemporary scheme, varying from 12 to 15 storeys in height

The development, known as the Bendigo Building, located on the corner of Bath Street and Cowan Street, will consist of a mix of studio apartments, four, five and six-bedroom clusters and disabled studio rooms. The scheme will also incorporate a range of indoor amenities such as a residents lounge and reception area, gym, study and games rooms, plus a fully landscaped courtyard garden with outdoor seating, recreational and outdoor exercise equipment, basement parking for 55 vehicles and 312 cycle storage spaces. Two commercial units will be located on the ground floor.

Matt Chandler, development director at Godwin Developments, said: “We are delighted to have reached this important milestone in our proposals for the re-development of this significant site in Nottingham.

“With the number of full-time students expected to increase by approximately 28% in the next few years, there is a clear requirement for more dedicated student spaces where young people can live, study, and play together. The Bendigo Building will cater to these needs while also freeing up traditional housing stock, allowing homes to return to their intended family use – responding to the aspirations of many local residents.”

Once underway the Bendigo Building will create around 300 jobs during the construction phase, and 40 full-time positions when completed.

James Mulcare, head of residential capital markets at Godwin Developments, said: “Nottingham is one of the UK’s higher education hotspots with its leading universities attracting a growing number of students year-on-year. In the last few years, the full-time student population in the city has surpassed 63,000 and is growing faster than any other UK university destination. At the same time, independent evidence indicates that there are at least 25,000 young people who are unable to access PBSA - highlighting the robust demand for student living in the city and the clear requirement for dedicated schemes like the Bendigo Building.”